The Authority to Root Out and To Plant

UV 1412/10,000 The Authority to Root Out and to Plant
See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
Jeremiah 1 v 10

We need to open our eyes of faith to be aware of the power, privileges and responsibilities the Lord has bestowed on us. The Lord has set us over the nations and kingdoms of darkness, to root out or eradicate certain issues and practices. We are expected to root out or pull out the weeds, the weeds within us and amongst us. We need to identify the strongholds, problems and challenges that need to be rooted out and decree that these be rooted out. Jeremiah the young man who was called to be a prophet felt inadequate for the challenges ahead. But the Lord taught him step by step how to exercise his powers to envision and to proclaim. We are called to be change-makers among the nations and the world’s powers. The authority to root out, to pull down, to cast out, to cast down, to build, to plant, to establish are all distinctive responsibilities and powers. We have the anointing or power to pull down and to destroy what is evil. The Lord says, “ I have this day set thee…” It implies that our authority and influence is derived from the commissioning of the Lord Himself. It begins here and now and proceeds apace right through our lives. Many people only exercise the negative power to bring down, to break down. Some only exercise the positive power and authority to build and establish. We are to think globally, pray globally and act faithfully at all times as we face the various ups and downs and challenges of life.

We also have the power to build and to plant. We are called to build the faith of people in God and His ways. We are called to plant the good seed of faith and to nourish it. The two processes of eradication and edification proceeds hand in hand right through biblical and indeed, human history. It is like the anabolic or “building” process and the katabolic or “breaking down” process that works simultaneously in our bodies.

Faith is like the structure of an umbrella. The central shaft that we grip tightly by the handle is God. All the others are the more delicate, less significant spokes holding up the canopy of life like job, money, health, family, friends, health, talents, influence… These spokes will break sooner or later but the central shaft will remain. Their usefulness and endurance would depend on how connected they are to the central shaft. To extend the metaphor further, we should not hold up an umbrella when God sends a shower of blessings our way. It is part of the process of building up our faith. We should try and get drenched in such rain. Sometimes God also sends a shower of troubles and trials to test our faith. It is at this time that we should hold up a strong umbrella of faith. Parts of our faith that are too weak will break down and give way under such pressure. We need to throw down or cast our worries and fears at the feet of Jesus. This is part of His lordship and an important aspect of our faithful response.

Prateep V Philip