Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Timely Teaching for Turbulent Times”
Week 6 of 6: “The Impact of Citizenship!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: GOVERNMENT…Servants of God!
Are you for real?
The President? Senators? Representatives? Governors? Mayors? … God’s servants?
Sounds strange doesn’t it to think that a public official would add to their title, “Servant of God.” Especially in our culture that wants to eliminate referencing God in the public square, to state that governing officials are God’s Servants sounds almost as bad as fingernails on a chalk board…especially when those governing officials appear to do everything BUT serve the will of God.
But they ARE God’s Servants.
The term “servant” designates a relationship of authority. I could be Vice President and hold a lot of authority, but still “serve” the President whose authority supersedes mine. To be a “servant” is to indicate there is one who holds more authority than I and there is one to whom I am accountable.
Whether a public official realizes it or not, they do not have ultimate authority. God does. They may think they do and act like they do, but one day even they will have to bow the knee before Jesus and give account for how well they carried out the role of God’s servant to those whom they had authority over.
It makes sense. If every authority exists because God allows it to exist, every authority exists to serve at the will of God.
Consider these two references to Old Testament Kings…one good one and one bad one.
King David…servant of God: (David did recognize the LORD’s authority over him.)
1 Chronicles 17:23 “And now, Lord, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, 24 so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel’s God!’ And the house of your servant David will be established before you.
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon…servant of God: (What??? God would use a heathen king to bring judgment on his people Israel.)
Jeremiah 25:9 I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon,” declares the Lord, “and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and against all the surrounding nations. I will completely destroy w them and make them an object of horror and scorn, and an everlasting ruin.
It ought not surprise us that God can and does use governing authorities to carry out his will for his people. He’s God and the ultimate ruler over all.
Romans 13:4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good.
Governing officials serve God by brings good things to his people. What are the good things God blesses you with through our government? Government provides protection and safety through local police, state troopers, National Guard and our military forces. Government provides a system of travel and roads to give us freedom of movement to buy, sell, visit, and engage in life. Government allows our churches to be exempt from property and income taxes to allow more dollars to go toward Gospel ministry. Government provides schools to provide education for our children (not perfect, but good in many ways). What others would you add?
I agree, it’s strange to think of governing officials as God’s Servants…but they are, whether they realize it or not, there for your good.
Apply: What good things have your received from God through your governing officials?
Prayer: LORD, thank you for being the ultimate authority in faith and life. Lead all those in positions of authority to realize their authority comes from you and understand they are your servants there to bring good to people. AMEN.