Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 75:6-10
Ps 75:6-10
6 No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man. 7 But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. 8 In the hand of the LORD is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs. 9 As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob. 10 I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.
Rom 13:1-2
1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Who has known the mind of the Lord to understand why he works as he does when using wicked nations and wicked rulers in the world? By faith we believe that every ruler in the world and in history is a part of the plan of God. Some have been ruthless and destructive, even trying to destroy the people of God. But all of these have been put in power by the hand of God and for a purpose.
When Paul wrote the book of Romans, the government (along with the Jewish rulers) were already beginning to persecute the Christians for their faith. It was under these circumstances that he said to submit to them, obey them and pay taxes that were due to them. This must have been really hard for them to do and to understand why. But we must believe that God is in control with a plan.
But Paul also wrote that we are to pray for the leaders of the nations so that we can live peaceable and quiet lives. This includes the ones with whom we disagree or we regard as evil. The same God who puts rulers in power can also change their hearts and change their actions, seemingly at times, even against their nature or their plans. As we read the Old Testament, which often tells us why God did what he did, we see his working in the governments of the world and the protection (as well as punishment) of his people. He is still God today.
O Lord God it is such a blessing to live in a country where we are not persecuted by the government for our faith. I ask a special blessing of your grace, your peace and your strength for those who are being persecuted. Lord, there is so much wickedness in our land, with some calling evil good and seeing good as evil. Help me and all of your people to stand for the truth revealed in your word. Give me strength and wisdom to be a good citizen and a good husband by following your will for me. I thank you for your love and grace. In Jesus name.
Robert
