The Weight of Authority My deep fondness for the State of Israel has generally led me to steer clear of the Israel-Iran conflict and rather pray for its quick end. However, recent news merits some reflections. Major outlets, including Reuters this morning, claim Iran is urging Mr. Donald Trump to pressure Israel to cease conflict. France24 specifically reported Iran's belief that Trump can halt the conflict with a single phone call. Why Trump? Because he is the President of the United States of America, a country with undeniable military might and global authority. This news instantly brought to my mind the Roman centurion who sought Jesus' aid for his dying servant. When Jesus offered to go to his home, the centurion humbly replied, "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." (Matthew 8:8 KJV). He further explained, "For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it." (Matthew 8:9 KJV). The centurion's faith, rooted in an understanding of delegated power, so impressed Jesus that He marvelled, saying, "Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." (Matthew 8:10 KJV). If Mr. Donald Trump, a man, can wield such unprecedented power merely by being the President of the United States, able to influence a war of this magnitude, how much more powerful is Christ Jesus? He is "far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come" (Ephesians 1:21 KJV). God has "highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11 KJV). Indeed, that same Jesus is able to help us navigate the conflicts in our lives and quiet them by the word of His power. He "...rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." (Mark 4:39 KJV). How can we harness Christ's power in our situations? Only by faith in Him. For "without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6 KJV). This faith is not a 'leap in the dark'; rather, it is 'a leap in the light (knowledge).' Hence, it is "the people that do know their God [that] shall be strong, and do exploits" (Daniel 11:32 KJV). Dear believer, do you know your God? if the world acknowledges the authority held by its leaders, let us also know our God and trust in Him. We shall never fear, though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, for He is always with us. Selah! #achristianreflections #Selah #GraceLife #itsallofgrace