Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Proverbs 20:26-30
Prov 20:26-30
26 A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them. 27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts. 28 Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld. 29 The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair. 30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts.
Rom 13:1-2
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
When we are put into a position of authority, whether it be a parent, an employer, or a king, we are to treat all those under us with respect, with love for their well-being, doing what is best for them. Authority is not a blank check for us to just have our way and treat others with contempt. On the other hand, when we are under the authority of another person, we are to show them respect and submit to their authority. They have been put there by God, so we submit to them.
Ultimately, God controls our government and who is in charge. It is disappointing to me to hear people who claim to be serving God, speak with contempt about those who are in authority. Whether I agree with their policies and philosophies is beside the point. Paul goes on to say that we are to be in subjection to them “not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.”
Another side of this for those who are believers in Jesus is that we should not get all upset or worried over what is going to happen in the elections (this time or the next one, local or national) because God is in control. We trust him and his plan for our country. What we are to do, even more importantly than campaigning or voting, is to pray that God will give us leaders who will follow his will so that we can live tranquil and peaceable lives in all godliness. But remember that God can (and did many times in the O.T.) use bad people to carry out his will for nations.
O Lord God, I know that Jesus is King of kings, and he is Lord of lords and as such all authority has been given to him in heaven and on earth. I also know that through him all things were created and in him all things hold together. Increase my faith to trust you in all things, for my health, for my personal well-being, as well as the future of our nation. Help me be more concerned about reaching the lost with the gospel and helping those who are in need than about politics. Be with your people that we will show your love to all. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
