Scripture: Genesis 3 v 22 - 24: "And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life."
Here we see divine authority coming from God to protect the tree of life, and to separate Adam and Eve from Eden, which was a reminder of Heaven and God's provision. Now they must grow their own food and miss out on the wonderful fellowship with God they had experienced. Eternal life was removed from them because sin had entered in.
The Flood and the Ark were further signs of a man under God's divine authority, challenging and overcoming the sin of the world - for a time. The ten plagues on Pharoah were evidence of divine authority invested in Moses to bring God's message to him with signs following. He had to let the Israelite slaves go free back to their own land.
The miracles of the Exodus from Egypt, manna, quail and water from the rock were enough to convince a woman, a harlot called Rahab, in Jericho to help Joshua and Caleb, and to be rescued when the great walls of that city fell through God's authority.
In the New Testament, Jesus was the express image of God. He said if you have seen Me you have seen the Father. He was God in human form and He wielded great authority over sin, sickness and demons. He withstood a forty day onslaught from Satan, who offered him every temptation without success. He showed us that we are able to overcome temptation through submission to Him.
As the late David Wilkerson wrote, God entrusts his divine authority only to what Peter calls the
"hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle spirit and quiet spirit" (1 Peter 3:4). Paul says, "The inward man is being renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16).
Although the outward man is always on display before others, the hidden man is known only by God. The Holy Spirit is constantly at work in him, strengthening and preparing him to receive spiritual authority.
Beloved, you are being trained and matured in God's mercy and you're learning to grow in your hidden man. Trust in his Word in every crisis - and walk in your spiritual authority."
-Source- http://world.convio.net/site/R?i=DSMBga0Jiac0m7P3-9WE1w
We need the divine authority, our legacy from Jesus, to be a prominent feature in our lives. We have the same authority He gave His disciples to heal the sick and cast out demons. We can raise the dead when prompted by the Holy Spirit. I have witnessed this several times. We can calm the sea, storms and claim protection from them.
About ten years ago a man was swept out to sea off the Cape coast when his boat was overturned by a freak wave. No one knew. He had to swim 11 kilometres (about 5 miles) to shore. He said later that He was amazed at his own strength, the calmness of the sea and the absence of sharks.
Many Christians were alerted by the Lord to pray. I kept hearing one line of the hymn Abide With Me......"for those in peril on the sea". Over and over until I realised prayer was needed. No one knew who or what but many prayed for this unknown man who finally came ashore at Brenton-on-Sea many hours later.
God gives us all authority to pray and perform miracles, to intercede for the lost and to prevail with God until He shows His power. We have to break through barriers erected by Satan and rescue people who are in harm's way.
If we neglect those things that we have been given, we not only miss out on many joyful victories, but we dishonour our Father and many may perish because of our attitude. He says ,What you do unto others will be done to you!
If we pour out His love on the people He sends our way, He will cause that love to be returned upon us in many different ways. We can never outgive God. He multiplies the blessings back in hundreds of unique ways.
2 Corinthians 9 v 6 - 8: "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:"
Start using your divine authority in small ways like that annoying dog barking all day somewhere in the neighbourhood. Pray that whatever is disturbing that dog will be changed into calm acceptance and the dog will be peaceful. Cut off all agitation, fear, loneliness, and anxiety from that dog so that he has nothing to bark about. Use authority on this situation and watch what happens. Praise and thank Jesus for the outcome.
Prayer: Heavenly Father we thank You for Your love for us that entrusts us with Your authority to meet every situation from barking dogs to life and death emergencies. Help us build up our faith and confidence to meet whatever needs may arise. In Jesus' name. Amen.