Tag: God is supreme
Week 19–Day 1–God Establishes Authority
Scripture reading for May 4: Psalm 75:6-7 “For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God Who executes judgment, putting one down and lifting up another.” Romans 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.”
A clearly stated truth in Scripture concerns God’s supreme authority. God is over all authority and those holding any position of authority have their position because God placed them there. They are placed there to serve God’s purposes and enforce the laws of the land which also flow from God’s decrees. Those under authority are not to resist them or the laws they are to uphold in unapproved ways or they will incur wrath and judgment.
The psalmist said that promotion doesn’t come from any particular direction–east or west. It doesn’t come from the wilderness–something like the ‘wild west’ or from those untamed who appear to have their own authority. God uses various means to ‘lift up’ to positions of authority or to ‘put down’ another in authority when His purpose for that leader is finished. In our land, elections are one means that leave us with the idea that the common will of the people has placed someone in authority. God uses elections to fulfil His will, as He is sovereign over all authority. In dictatorships, God also places rulers in their place and even the wrath of man shall praise Him and serve His purposes in the end.
These truths help all of us to stay humble before God and those He has appointed. Those appointed by Him also must answer to Him for their stewardship and treatment of both those breaking the law and those needing protection from law-breakers. They also are mindful that they serve at God’s pleasure as He has placed them there and will remove them at His discretion.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your just and righteous rulership over all creation. Thank You for reminding us all that You establish human authority and governments and systems of law and order. Help me to submit to You and Your will in my treatment of those in authority. As I exercise authority, may I fulfil Your will with Your heart. Amen.