Morning by Morning, November 1 - Governmental Authorities Perplexed by the Power of God through His Empowered People Good morning, Lord Jesus. I open up my heart to You as You open up Your possibilities to me to follow in Your steps today everywhere You lead me. ... “Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. Herod said, ‘John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?’ And he sought to see Him” (Luke 9:7-9). Herod was the governmental authority in Israel, in submission to the governmental authority of Rome, which was the ruling governmental authority of the world at that time. And he “sought to see (You)” because of “all that was happening.” He was “perplexed” with this move of the power of God taking place in his realm of power and authority. Not only was he perplexed by what he heard You were doing, he was perplexed by what he heard Your disciples were doing. The immediate verses of Scripture just before this passage describe “all that was happening”: “And (Jesus) called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal. And He said to them, ‘Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.’ And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the Gospel and healing everywhere” (Luke 9:1-6). Then the very next verse says: “Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed” (v. 7). And because he was perplexed, “he sought to see (You)” (v. 9). Lord, let the governmental authorities of our community and our nation be “perplexed” by all that is happening through a move of God in our hearts that affects our communities and our nations. Let them be perplexed by the power of God over the powers of darkness and disease. The days are dark, and the culture is diseased. But You have given “power and authority” to Your disciples to make a difference. When we take our stand and speak out our voices and live out Your character with the power and authority You’ve entrusted to us, we are salt and light in our world to make a difference in our world (Matthew 5:13-16). We “bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 3:9-10). As we do, may even the governmental authorities who oppose us and this move of the power of God through manifestations of the coming of the Kingdom of God in our communities and nations be perplexed enough to seek You. As we do, we experience a foretaste of the breakthroughs to come, of Your Kingdom breaking into our world, even now as we are faithful to You and all You have entrusted to us. We “have shared in the Holy Spirit and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come” (Hebrews 6:4-5). So empower us, embolden us. Remind us of our calling to be salt and light, courageous and strong in the strength of Your power with the commission of Your authority to stand up and speak out against the darkness and disease of our society “preaching the Gospel and healing everywhere” (Luke 9:6). As we do, we look forward to the fulfillment of Your prophetic Word in the age to come: “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15) In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today! In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays My friend, may you be empowered and emboldened to be salt and light in your community and nation as you stand up and speak out and live out the character of Christ to make a difference in your world, in Jesus' name. God bless you!
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries Mailing Address: 412 S. Adams Street #148 Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Please share this word to encourage a friend! Anyone can sign up for free at: https://messiah-ministries.org | 
