“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”
In the world of relationships, the men have a saying, “happy wife, happy life!” Sounds funny and is so true. If you speed and run stop signs eventually you will get pulled over by the police. I cannot yell at my boss and expect to get a promotion. I do not have the right to complain about the people we elect if I never vote. Authority is everywhere in all of our lives. From relationships to the government, it is how God set up things. We see in the first chapter of Genesis and all throughout the Bible.
To be completely honest, I do not like to read the verses above or for that matter, the whole chapter 13 of Romans. Our governing authorities are an easy target. Ever since CNN started back in the 80’s we have been subject to entertainment, news, and much of that is a constant barrage of political news. Political parties, Washington, Local Government, etc. Before we all descend into a dark hole of criticism about our authorities, allow me to spell out another verse in this chapter, verse 4. “For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”
This subject is really deep and we could go on and on, but for today let’s simply focus on one thing. Those authorities in your life are there because God put them there. That’s right, all of them except abusive ones. Under those conditions getting away from that authority is a good thing. However, in most other situations, the Lord commands us to honor those in authority. Honoring someone in authority over you can be difficult, but it is much easier knowing that the Lord put him or her there. In a way it is a test. A test to see if you can submit to human authority and if you can, then submitting to the Lord becomes much easier.
The Bible also tells us to pray for our leaders. If you have ever been in that place of being a boss, or a leader of a small group, then you can relate to how difficult it is to be the one everyone is looking to for direction. My brother told me the other day that if you see your boss and think he or she is a complete moron, understand that they are in that position and you are not. It would be wise of you to understand how they got that place instead of openly criticizing them. He is 100% correct and that advice follows the Word of God as well. Just because your situation seems bleak it does not mean He has forgotten about you.
Today, pray for your heart to soften and become a person who can honor the one in authority. You cannot take chapter 13 out of the Bible so wisdom tells us to pray and seek the Lord how to change our hearts and minds about the ones over us.
Prayer: Father, we know how hard it is to pray for the ones in the power positions over us especially when they seem to be doing everything to screw things up. Help us honor those positions and pray for the people filling them. We submit that you are in control and have not forgot about us or our situations. Help us to work hard and be great employees, sons, daughters, wives, or husbands. In Jesus name, amen.
Let It Go 
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