Friday, July 12 - Romans 13

GOVERNING AUTHORITIES

"He is God's servant for your good."

   St. Paul lived in the days of ungodly and immoral rulers.  He lived during a time when some emperors were worshiped as gods and acted like it.  And yet Paul declares that such men are instruments of God for good.

   The only explanation one can offer for such an attitude is to recognize that God uses not only godly and faithful rulers to accomplish His purposes, but also even those who act selfishly and may even have evil intent.

   I guess it's a bit like a game of chess.  Some offensive pieces are powerful and important because they are doing exactly what the player intends.  Others also accomplish his intent simply by blocking something else, being sacrificed to obtain something greater, or in stopping something worse from happening.

   If God is the author of the "game," and is all-knowing, then we need to recognize that He can use "all things together for the good of those who love Him."

   So God doesn't call us to have an easy life or even a blessed nation -- He calls us to love Him whether the governing authorities are good or evil.

  Let us pray fervently for those who lead that His will might be accomplished through them whether we like them or not.