Submit

Re:Verse passage – Romans 13:1-7 (day three) 

¹ 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.

As we move past our recent elections around our country, there is endless debate on what the results and surprises mean for our country. In reality, none of the results are surprising to God.  We must keep in mind that civil government is the way God designed His work to be carried out here on earth. He works through the leaders to accomplish what He wants to accomplish. I love reading through the Old Testament and seeing how God used the pagan leaders of the day to further His will and His work for His people. We see how Nebuchadnezzar and Darius were instruments that showed God’s might and authority. We see God using the Philistine king Achish protecting David until the time was right for David to go back to the Israelites. In the New Testament, we see God fulfil prophecy through the various kings of Rome when Jesus was a baby fleeing to Egypt and later before His death. History is full of God’s hand and work through the leaders of the day.

When we remember that God is the One that writes the story of this life, it hopefully gives us confidence and peace. Whether you see the election results as good or bad doesn’t matter to God. He is using these leaders for His purposes and His will to work through the government that He designed. Our response should be trust and submission. Here in verse one, Paul is reminding us that God is in charge, and we should, therefore, submit out of reverence to God.