Devotion for July 16, 2008

Submit to Authorities

“Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,” (Titus 3:1 NKJV)

There are those who have a naturally more compliant spirit than others do. Certainly, personal history has a role in shaping one’s biases. Those who were raised in out-of-balanced families tend to have more issues than those nurtured in healthy families do.

However, Paul does not say be subject if it suits you. He doesn’t qualify his statement at all. It is important for the believer not to qualify it either.

The Scriptures say if we resist authorities we resist Him. To resist God is to invite judgment on oneself. Read the following passage from Romans.

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” (Romans 13:1-2 NKJV)

The outcast, King David lived like a fugitive as Saul clung to a kingdom that God had taken away. These two men are proof of God’s unwillingness to tolerate insubordination.

If you remember, Saul was told to destroy the Amalekites, but he spared Agag and kept the good livestock. He clearly rebelled against God and lost his kingdom because of it. Read Nathan’s words to Saul.

“For rebellion [is as] the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness [is as] iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from [being] king.” (1 Samuel 15:23 NKJV)

David, on the other hand, is a good example of submission. He had an opportunity to kill Saul one night. He had every right by man’s standard to do just that. However, he knew better than to rebel against God’s authority. He did shame Saul by cutting off his robe, but even that brought on repentance.

“Then the men of David said to him, "This is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.’" And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s [robe]. And he said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD’S anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he [is] the anointed of the LORD."” (1 Samuel 24:4-6 NKJV)

Friend, learn this lesson well. It will never profit you to rebel against authority because you are rebelling against God. It may seem justifiable, but in the end it will haunt you. Instead learn from David. He eventually had his kingdom. You too will have your reward if you remain faithful. God is capable of working out all the details. Therefore, be patient and let Him do it. Don’t forget “. . . all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NKJV)