If you'd like to watch, click on Pastor Squatch Musings!

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.

Romans 13:1–2, ESV

A great struggle for many throughout history is following authority. The Jewish people at the time of Jesus despised the Romans and wanted them out and to reestablish Israel. Yet, when Jesus spoke He didn’t speak of resistance, but told them to go the extra mile. Paul, as all the Apostles, was imprisoned, beaten, and eventually killed by the Romans, yet while imprisoned he writes these words. We do not incur judgment for following God’s rule in our lives and are subject to the authorities God places over us. We don’t have to like them, but in honoring them we show honor to God. If we refuse to bow, like Daniel and his friends in captivity because it dishonors God, we honor God through our lack of fear of the punishment we will receive and our subjugation to the authorities judgment. An authority who mocks God heaps judgment on themselves, but our goal is to proclaim our Lord’s glory to them that they may be repented and turn from doing that which is contrary to God’s will. We are called to pray for those in leadership and hope that they turn to our Lord and are faithful to Him in using their authority. It is through our witness, we seek God’s peace.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.