Good morning,
Well, last week was quite an important week for America and for what people call freedom all around the world. People here in America and around the world watched as a new president and vice president were sworn in with their hands on Bibles they had chosen as a basis for the promises that they made to lead the nation in the future. I was fascinated by the fact that the speech made just afterwards was about promises that were made without any reference to the God of the Bible and the promise that our country could be great again without any reference to the God of the nations who takes credit for a nations greatness or its downfall. The Lord, speaking through Isaiah said, I have a plan for the whole earth, a hand of judgment upon all the nations. He then goes on saying, who can change his plans? When his hand is raised, who can stop him?”(Isa.14:226,27) Then the next day thousands of woman came from near and far, marching through the streets of the Washington, shouting their hatred and defiance of the man that had just been elected by the people of their country. People from other cities did the same. What could the Lord be doing when he let all this happen in a country that was founded on the principles of the Bible?
God set another standard when, speaking through Paul said, Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.(Romans 13:1) God’s guidelines for what was right from his perspective required submission and respect of those who he had placed in leadership positions in his world. When leaders take responsibility for success and followers feel free to defy the leaders God has chosen, both have forgotten they are living in God’s world. When we here in America or in any other part of the world develop our own standards we forget that God is still the judge of all that we do. God goes on to say, So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.(v.2) Again, God requires those of us who are part of his eternal family to accept his choices of leaders and respect the authority that he has given them. Everyone else is also responsible to obey God’s guidelines or come under his painful punishment. In 2 Thessalonians 2:11,12 God reminds us that when people listen to Satan’s standards and rebel against God, that his response will be, So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth. Dear Lord, please help us to trust your judgement and rely on the strength of your Holy Spirit so that we will not be overcome by the evil of our generation. May we reflect your love and pray for those around us to accept your eternal life in the face of this powerful flood of rebellion.
Romans 13:1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
Roy Wisner
