Welcome to Day 133 of the “Manna for the Mind” devotional! This series is about finding nourishment in the Word of God to get us through the day. In each devotional, I take a variety of scripture passages (typically 1-3 verses each) and build our understanding of what they teach via their context and connecting scripture. My goal is to help you understand how to be the type of human God created you to be.

Today’s passage is Romans 13:1. We’ll discuss everyone’s favorite topic: respecting governmental authority.

Romans 13:1

NASB	NLT	VOICE
1 Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is not authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.	1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.	1 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.

Are there times when we should not obey the government? My opinion is that the government forces you out of a right to life that applies to your body, mind, and spirit. The government should never force anyone to not have a medical procedure when necessary, not receive resources for a mental health crisis, or restrict religious practices of any kind. I’ve had this long-standing belief that if you’re not hurting yourself or others physically, mentally, or spiritually with what you believe in, we can get along. To follow Jesus’ example, he and the apostles never rebelled against the government for personal reasons. Their disobedience came with the benefit of fulfilling God’s higher law. I’m not talking about the Levitical law, but God’s moral love: loving him with all parts of ourselves and loving our neighbor as God loved us. Laws can often restrict the ability to be caring and compassionate to those in need, who are constantly finding laws made that restrict their right to life and the necessary care that comes with it.

Now, rebellion isn’t a “scot-free” activity. The apostles were threatened, beaten, thrown into jail, tortured, or executed for their convictions. Like them, we must face and accept the consequences when we rebel. What that looks like will be different in every circumstance. Suppose our rebellion was for the benefit of God’s kingdom and care for his creation. In that case, we will find Christ with us, helping us wrestle with the consequences and move forward from them. Suppose we do it because of mob mentality, ego, pride, or something similar. In that case, we’ll have to just deal with the consequences. The aftermath will also come with repentance, but it may be a deeper hole to climb out of.

Daniel wrestled with rebellion during his time, and we read a special prayer of his.

Daniel 2:21

NASB	NLT	VOICE
21 It is He who changes the times and the periods; He remove kings and appoints kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, And knowledge to people of understanding.	21 He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.	21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

When we watch the news or doom scroll through social media, we often question: “Why?” It doesn’t matter what it is about, but we repeat this common question consistently. God’s wisdom is a source that can help us find these answers. God’s wisdom can tell us whether the world is the way it is or why people are the way they are. It may not be the answer we want, but it is the answer, nonetheless.

We see the world’s chaos, especially now as we’re coming out of the US election season, and question, “Why is God allowing this to happen?” Daniel saw similar chaos in his time, an evil ruler with limitless power. Still, he knew and shouted out that God removed kings and set up other kings and that his plan overruled other plans. I’m writing before the election season is wrapping up, so I don’t know the results, but I do know that God’s results will still shine over others. If the leader chosen does well, they do. We will see people rise and hold these leaders accountable if they don’t. Those accountable will work towards a unified front providing care for all people. Some people see the chaos and think the world is too far gone, but they have gifts and talents that need to be awakened by those fighting the good fight to help them get involved.

God governs according to his purposes. When we see the chaos of life in advertising and innocent people suffering or dying young, it’s easy to question God’s power. The thing is that God doesn’t cause the chaos; the evil forces of the world do. The hurt people of the world do. The unfortunate circumstances of our environment and decision-making do. God creates a balance to the evil. God has dominion over it, but there’s a harmonious balance. If we think less on a grand scale but on a personal one. When we experience the death of a loved one, we mourn the loss and are mad that they aren’t there, and we celebrate the memories and impact they’ve made on our lives. There are many other examples, but there is a duality to life. If we only had the good, would we ever know what’s not good? Removing the choice of our lives when we follow God makes it less of a relationship and more of a dictatorship.

We may not always understand what evil is, why it’s permitted, and everything in between. Still, we know God is in the middle of it all, working with those willing to undo evil and those victimized by it.

This coexisting mindset is shown in Jesus and Pilate’s relationship.

John 19:11

NASB	NLT	VOICE
11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over Me at all, if it had not been given to you from above; for this reason the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.”	11 Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”	11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

When Jesus said that the man who gave him to Pilate was guiltier than Pilate himself, he wasn’t excusing Pilate for his reaction to the political pressure placed on him. Pilate was responsible for his decisions about Jesus. Caiaphas and the other religious leaders were guilty of a greater sin because they premeditated Jesus’ murder. People can force political leaders to enforce laws, rulings, and more they disagree with because of the influence of popularity and the fear of cancel culture. It’s even more prevalent in the allowance of lobbying from different industries that pay politicians to lean their own view (right or wrong) towards the benefit of their business regardless of how it affects the general population.

I’m not saying the focus of governmental authorities should be based on biblical teachings or laws because not everyone is a Christian. We cannot force everyone to be one, but as Christians, we must follow Christ first.

Titus 3:1

NASB	NLT	VOICE
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,	1 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.	1 Remind people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.

As Christians, we must obey God and our government and its leaders. We’re not above the law. Nor are we enforcers of the law for those around us. Our primary responsibility is to obey civil law and do what we can to be good citizens. Disobedience should only come when people’s physical, mental, and/or spiritual rights to life are being stripped away in any capacity. There will be consequences to said actions, and we must be ready to accept them in whatever capacity they’re given. Still, Christians have a God ready to walk through the valley with them in this process.

I leave you with a breath prayer. As we take a DEEP one after the election season, let us remember this:

BREATHE IN:                   God is still…

BREATHE OUT:               …in control.

Until next time, stay blessed!