December 29
PROVERBS 24
21 My son, fear the LORD and the king,
and do not join with those who do otherwise,
22 for disaster will arise suddenly from them,
and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?
– Proverbs 24:21-22
PROVERBS 24 HONOR GOD AND GOVERNMENT
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
Fear the Lord your God and honor your leaders
Do not disobey your government since God instituted them
The Lord placed those people so you will submit to authority
When you follow them, you are actually honoring God as well.
Many people have forgotten how it is to submit to authority or honor God and his chosen leaders. The apostle Paul explains the concept of honoring God and the government in Romans 13:1-5. He says it so clearly as follows: “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. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.”
Solomon gives us the importance of fearing God and the king. He cautions the people not to join any rebellion or mutiny. He also warns of the outcome of those who decide to go against God or authorities.
We live in a world now where obedience becomes conditional if we like the leaders or agree with them or if God gives us what we want. Submission to authority is a rarity today. No wonder we live in a chaotic world where there is no order. Few understand the concept of submission to God and authority. Peace is hard to come by without obedience.
REFLECTION
• Why do we still need to honor our government even though they are messing up?
