Be Subject to the Governing Authorities
He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. (Dan 2:21)
God is sovereign over everything in His creation.
He holds the universe by the power of His hand.
He was, is, and ever shall be King of all creation.
He is wise and powerful.
He knows every minute detail in the universe for He created all things.
He knows every atom that moves, whether in our body or far out in outer space.
As Creator, He has a plan for His creation.
He determines history even before anything has ever happened.
Everything is under His wise and benevolent control.
How wonderful to know this truth.
Nothing escapes His attention.
There is nothing He does not know about.
He establishes the times and seasons.
He decides who to be king and who to be replaced.
The president, prime minister, chancellor, minister, regent who rules our land is ordained by God.
He may be voted into office or he may have taken the office by force or deceit.
One thing is sure: he is placed there by God.
Our responsibility is to obey him unless his rule contradicts the will of God. If we resist the king, we are resisting God.
By doing so, we show ourselves to be citizens of a higher order. For if we cannot submit to an earthly power, how can we submit to God who is highest in authority?
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. 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. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. (Rom 13:1-6)
(MT)