Gracious God, bless the needs of this dear reader today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Today's text comes from Romans 13:1-7:
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; 4 for it is God's servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. 6 For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, busy with this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is due them—taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
Imagine living in Roman occupied land if you were a Jew. I can guarantee that it is much better for us who live here in the USA. We are free to gripe and groan about who leads this office at this level and from the dog catcher to the president, we have the freedom to complain. Yet, as believers in the God who rules all things, Paul says, "Did you stop to think that perhaps we have who we have may have come with God allowing it or permitting it?" Paul is helping those Christians facing hardships and persecutions in knowing that God was still with them in spite of how dismal things may have looked. And for the good of life and for the good of the faith, live a life that exults God but doesn't put you and your fellow believers in danger. It may also seem redundant, if not silly, to say, if you know God, you know God's love and you know God's commandments. If you follow the commandments you know to stay out of trouble: Don't steal, don't cheat, don't kill, etc. Live your life that is pleasing to God and you will remain free from trouble with the law. I know there have been times and continue to be places where just to worship was, and sadly for some, still is, a crime; but one knows to be led by God in all things.
May our lives be an example of one who prays for all people, including and especially for those we don't necessarily like or approve. Ask God to bless and watch over them and to help them serve out the purposes of God and for God to help us understand just what those purposes may be.
PRAYER: God of all people, we pray for all elected officials. Lord, You know we don't necessarily approve of them all, and the conduct of all, but we pray that Your blessing would still be upon them in ways that You will be glorified. We do thank You for our nation and for what we can and should be doing; may Your Spirit bless all who share their lives with us. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
