Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Proverbs 31:4-9
Prov 31:4-9
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, 5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; 7 let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. 8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Rom 13:3-4
For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.
God is a just God, and he expects all mankind to practice justice. He has set up all of the governments that exist for the purpose of maintaining order, rewarding the ones who do right and punishing those who do wrong. All rulers are subject to God and will give an accounting to him, whether they recognize it or not. Those who deny his existence will be judged by him the same as those who profess to serve him. There is no governing authority that is not instituted by God.
This does not mean that God approves of the way a person governs. It does not mean that only good people get into powerful positions. It does not mean that the winner of an election is a good person, nor does it mean that the loser is a bad person. God has historically used both good and bad people to carry out his will on earth. He allows all mankind to follow their own will, even to their own hurt. This is true in the home, in government, in the church, in all of life.
Our responsibility as Christians is to be subject to the governing authorities, to show them the respect deserved by their position, and to honor them. Jesus said to give to Caesar what is due to Caesar. When we show respect to the official in charge, we are showing honor and respect to God who gave them that position.
O Lord God, giver of life, and creator of government, and sustainer of all that is good and right for all mankind, I praise you for your infinite wisdom. Help me show your love to all mankind in my attitude toward those whom you have put into positions of authority. Never let me forget that my citizenship is secondly here on earth, to the government under which I live, but first and foremost my citizenship is in heaven and Jesus is my king and my lord. Give me a servant heart so that I will serve you by serving others. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
