Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

This week we’ll seek wisdom from God about His Kingdom here on earth. With today being President’s Day, let’s begin with the His expectations for us with our leaders.

In today’s scripture, Romans 13:1‭-‬7 (NLT), the Apostle Paul exhorts…
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

Consider…
Politics is one of the most polarizing and divisive topics in our society. People are impassioned with their political opinions, which mostly center around criticism of their political opposition’s shortcomings. As I think about it more, the truth is complaining about leadership in general is one of the oldest and most popular things that people do.

• Children complain about parents
• Employees complain about management
• Students complain about teachers and school administration
• Congregations complain about Pastors and church leaders

Speaking of congregations and complaining about leadership, we see it over and over with the Children of Israel and Moses.

However, today’s scripture exhorts God’s Kingdom citizens to submit to all government authorities. Moreover, it says, “all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.” Those are strong declarations about God’s role in government.

Today’s purpose is not to inspire civic responsibility or make a political statement, but to be clear about what God expects from His Kingdom branches (believers) where He has planted them. God wants us to know that He considers how we treat others as how we are treating Him. Look again, He said rebelling against authorities is rebelling against Him.

But you might say, He’s only referring to authorities that are Christian. Well, this letter was written to His Kingdom citizens that were planted in Rome and under the Roman government authority. It was the same authority that Jesus allowed to carryout His crucifixion. Also, in the book of Daniel, God used pagan kings, Nebuchadnezzar and Darius, to carryout judgement on His chosen, but disobedient people. The point is God places all leaders in authority for His purpose.

When the Holy Spirit inspired me to focus on what God expects of His heavenly Kingdom citizens in the earthly kingdoms He has planted us, He led me to three expectations from God. God expect His citizens to D.R.O.P. everything in deference to Him.

• DEVOTION to God requires submission to others. Paul’s first statement in today’s scripture is submit to governing authorities. In fleshing this expectation out, the Holy Spirit led me to Ephesians 5:1‭-‬2 (NLT), which exhorts us to, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” Notice our example, Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice, that’s submissive. Typically we see Jesus’ sacrifice as submission to God only, but it also required submission to Roman government authority to crucify Him (unjustly). This tells me our devotion to God is poured out in our sacrifice for others which must be done in submission to authorities we’re placed under, regardless of whether we think they’re just or unjust.
• RESPECTING authority is a requirement that God has for His ambassadors in the foreign territories He’s dispatched us to represent Him. In Ephesians 6:5, Paul told slaves to, “obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ.” Notice, we’re supposed to treat those in authority over us here on earth with the same respect and reverence we have for our King, Jesus Christ who sits on His throne in Heaven.
• OBEYING those placed in authority by God, was also set as an expectation in the Ephesians 6:5 verse just referenced. Again, following our example Jesus, in Matthew 17:24‭-‬27 He miraculously placed two coins in fish for Peter to retrieve to pay the temple (local authority) tax. If the King of the house is willing to obey His appointed leadership’s arbitrary rules imposed in His house, than who are we to rebell against authority. Remember, in today’s scripture God said that rebelling against governing authorities is rebelling against Him.
• PRAYING is always a response to any situation. That’s also God’s expectation of us, His Kingdom citizens, whether we deem our governing authorities as just or unjust. You see prayer declares, God we yield to You. It says, God You’re in charge and we trust You completely. God’s expectation according to 1 Timothy 2:1‭-‬4 is for us to pray for EVERYONE! He goes on to specifically exhort us to, “pray for rulers and for all who have authority.” There’s no ambiguity in God’s requirement for His people, we’re to pray. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 However, He doesn’t just tell us to pray, He specifies what we should pray for. He says, “pray for these leaders so that we can live quiet and peaceful lives—lives full of devotion to God and respect for him.” Praying to be left alone and protected, so that we can live exclusively for Him, peacefully. That’s a simple but powerful prayer that I confess I have never prayed, but I will from now on.

Finally, as I write this, the Holy Spirit is showing me that God D.R.O.P.-ped us into earthly jurisdictions (families, work, government, church, etc.) to represent Him. We’re to be His Kingdom ambassadors here on earth. So today as we pause, here in the United States or America, to honor our 45 former Presidents, and the current sitting one, let’s remember that our Heavenly King expects us to be His ambassador-citizens that He D.R.O.P.-ped in to always represent Him. That means we’re to always…

• Be DEVOTED to God by submitting to others
• RESPECT those in authority, because He placed them there
• OBEY those in authority in obedience to Christ
• PRAY for everyone, including those in authority

Kingdom people who belong to the King should always act like it. Therefore in all your interactions with, and about those in authority, remember that you are Christ the King’s ambassador-citizen.

Today’s song is…
Ambassadors For Christ
https://youtu.be/3sjuIwN2UeU?si=JhQrW_S3TMW5AwiV

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)