Daily Bible Reading “Christians Response to Government” (Romans 13:1-7)

Posted on October 28, 2019 by Deborah H. Bateman

Christians Response to Government

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Romans 13:1-7. In this Scripture, the Apostle Paul writes to the people about the importance of being in subjection to those who are in authority over us. He reminds us that all those who are in power are ordained by God. That may be hard for some of us to believe.

Not everybody who God allows to be in power is to bless us. Sometimes God puts people in a position of authority over us to judge us.

If you go back and read chapter twelve, you will see that this message comes right after Paul reminds the people that they are to live at peace with everybody, if at all possible. He reminds them that they were not to seek vengeance because that was left up to the Lord to repay.

When we resist the powers that be, we resist the ordinance of God. Those who go against those in authority will find themselves in trouble.

Those who are in authority in government are not there to punish those who do good, but are there to enforce the laws of the land and dole out punishment to those who disobey the laws.

We don’t have to be afraid of those who are in power over us as long as we do what is right. However, if we disobey the laws of the land then we are subject to the wrath that they have the power to execute.

Those who are in authority are ministers of God, so we are subject to them. We are to pay tribute to them and honor them because of their position, even if we don’t agree with everything they say or do.

Remember, Paul and the people of his day were under the rule of the Roman Empire. It was not a democratic government and was not friendly to Christians, but Paul still recognized its authority.

Jesus, during His reign here on earth, suffered under the authority of Pontius Pilate, who was one of the worst rulers of their day. Paul was persecuted under the direction of Nero, who was the worst Roman emperor who ever ruled. But, they both recognized the authority of the government and were subject to them.

Some of the Christians during Paul’s day questioned whether they should be subject to the government rule or only be subject to God. Paul lets them know that they were not only subject to the laws of God, but also to the laws of the land.

As long as those in authority over us do not demand we do something that is against the laws of God, we are to be in subjection to them. As believers, we should be some of the best law-abiding citizens a country could have. We should be honest, pay our dues, and honor those in positions of authority.

Most of all, we should lift our political leaders up to God in prayer. We should ask Him to help them make good decisions for the people. We should ask Him to lead, guide, and direct them in their positions of authority.

Daily Bible Reading:

Romans 13:1-7

1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Things to think about:

Why does Paul say we are to be subject to those who rule over us?
Who should fear those in authority in the government?
As Christians how should we respond to those who are in authority?

What can we do to support those who are in government positions?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture where Paul reminds us of our position as Christians toward those in authority over us. Help us to be respectful, to obey the laws of the land, and be good examples of exemplary citizens. Help us to honor You in all that we do. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God:…

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the powers that be are ordained of God.

– Romans 13:1

This is an excerpt from Christians Response to Government.

Have you read the book? If not, click on the link above to get your copy.

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Featured Book:

Christians Response to Government

by Deborah H. Bateman

Christians Response to Government is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. It is Book 32 in the Daily Bible Reading Series. Deborah wrote this book in response to the events surrounding the 2016 United States Presidential election. This book was born as she searched her own heart to try to determine how to respond in this election. She searched the Scriptures to see what God had to say about what our response as Christians should be to government and decided to share what she discovered with you. Hopefully this book enlightens you and helps you to know how to respond in a godly way to the powers that be. Remember to check out the other books in the Daily Bible Reading Series by Deborah H. Bateman.

Christians Response to Government contains ten Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scriptures, a few questions for contemplation and discussion, which the author calls “Things to think about,” and a Prayer of the Day.

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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Daily Bible Reading “God Removes and Establishes Kings” (Daniel 2:17-30)

Posted on July 6, 2017 by Deborah H. Bateman

God Removes and Establishes Kings

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Daniel 2:17-30. In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream while he was sleeping, but when he woke up he couldn’t remember the dream. He asked the Chaldeans, who were considered to be the wisest men in the land, to reveal his dream and interpret it for him. The king was so angry they couldn’t do as he requested that he threatened to destroy all the wise men in Babylon.

Daniel questioned Arioch, the king’s captain, why the king was so anxious to destroy all the wise men. Arioch told Daniel about the king’s dream. Daniel went to his house and told his companions about the problem. He asked them to pray about the situation with him. Daniel was afraid they would be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

Daniel was a wise man. He understood the importance of seeking God’s wisdom as well. My point of sharing this story is not so much the story, but Daniel’s response to God answering his prayer in verses 20-23. Daniel praises God for his wisdom and might. He acknowledges God for changing the times and seasons. Daniel says it is God who establishes and removes kings. It is God who gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those of understanding. He reveals deep and secret things to the people of God who seek His face. He is very much aware of the evil and darkness in this world even though He is the light of the world.

As we reflect on history and the leaders that have been in control throughout the ages we must remember that God plays a role in the events of this world. Even during biblical times we can see where God directed the paths of different leaders. He blessed the people when there were leaders who followed His will. He also caused leaders to be overthrown when they were disobedient to Him.

We have our part to play in electing government officials, but God also directs in the lives of people and the affairs of this world. We need to seek God’s face concerning the events of this world. We need to pray for our leaders and our countries and ask God to lead, guide, and direct in them.

Even in democratic countries we may not always get our way in the election of government officials, but at least we have the right to vote our convictions. Then, once the election is done, we need to accept the candidates that the election process has revealed to be the people’s choice. We need to pray for them and do our part as citizens to support them in their duties as leaders of our country.

Daily Bible Reading:

Daniel 2:17-30

17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.

24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.

25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.

26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?

27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;

28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.

30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.

Things to think about:

What was the king’s dilemma?
Who came to the king’s rescue?
Who did Daniel seek in answering the king’s problem?
What did Daniel have to say about God?
Who did Daniel give credit to for his wisdom?
What did we learn from this lesson about God’s role in establishing and removing leaders?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture. We thank You for Daniel and his love for You. We thank You that You are the one who gives wisdom to the wise and understanding to those of knowledge. We thank You that You establish and remove leaders of this world, even today. We pray that You would help us to understand our part as citizens to support and pray for our leaders. Help us to be the kind of citizens that You would be proud of. Help us to do our part to make our countries great. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

This is an excerpt from Christians Response to Government.

Have you read the book? If not, click on the link above to get your copy.

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.