People in positions of authority have the right to give commands. Parents, bosses, teachers, coaches, police officers, military commanders, or others in such roles have the ability to cause things to happen with the words they speak. Of course, God holds the ultimate position of authority, and there are certain commands He declares that set things in motion.
In Deuteronomy 28, we find this interesting promise: “The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you” (v. 8, NKJV). According to this verse, God literally commands that you will be blessed when you live for Him!
It’s a good position to be in when the ultimate authority over heaven and earth is commanding that you will be blessed! Another translation reads this way: “The LORD will guarantee a blessing on everything you do” (NLT). Specifically, the book of Psalms reveals at least three parts of that “guarantee” that God commands for His people.
For one, God commands victory. “You are my King and my God. You command victories for Israel” (Psalm 44:4, NLT). The reference to Israel in this verse signifies the people of God, so we can certainly apply this truth to our own lives. God commands victories for us when we follow Him. Yes, we must fight the good fight of faith, but we will always come out on top if we will diligently seek the Lord.
He decrees, ordains, and commands victories for us. Notice that this verse uses “victories” in the plural form. To me, that means it isn’t referring to occasional victory; it means we can live a lifestyle of victories over and over again.
Secondly, God commands unfailing love. “By day the LORD commands his steadfast love” (Psalm 42:8a, ESV). One of our primary needs is to be loved, and God has declared that our need will never go unsatisfied. He loves us with an unconditional love.
Thirdly, God commands strength for His people. “Your God has commanded your strength. Strengthen, O God, what You have done for us” (Psalm 68:28, NKJV). Strength is such a valuable commodity. People lift weights to build strength. Children look up to superheroes who display incredible strength. We’ll even buy “extra-strength” Tylenol. It seems like we’re always looking for strength, but we need to look no further than to Jesus! God has ordained that we have the physical, emotional, and spiritual strength we need to persevere every day.
There is an account in the book of Matthew of a Roman centurion who pleaded with Jesus to help his son who was paralyzed and tormented. Jesus offered to go to the boy and heal him, but the centurion said he was not worthy to have Jesus come into his home. He declared that Jesus only needed to speak a word that his son would be healed.
The centurion explained that he was a man who understood authority, as he had many soldiers under his responsibility who would obey his commands. He wanted the sickness in his son to come under the authority of Jesus, and his desire was fulfilled. When Jesus declared his healing, the boy was made whole in the same hour.
Let’s live with that type of faith! Declare that your needs will come under the authority of Jesus. Let God be your King who commands strength, love, and victories in your life.
Reflections 