Authority

All throughout our lives we’ll have to be under the authority of others. When we’re children, we have to do as our parents say. At school, we have to obey our teachers. At work, we’re reporting to a boss. In our everyday lives, we follow rules made by those in government. Romans 13 talks about the importance of submitting to those in authority. But this can be really challenging when we don’t agree with what those above us are doing, or when we’re frustrated with how we’re being treated. In the Bible, we read about David and his ‘boss’ King Saul. Every time Saul became jealous, angry, and violent, David kept on serving him. Why? 1) David knew God had called him to be king, and that being in Saul’s palace was the best place for him to learn. Sometimes we have to stay in places we’d rather not stay in, because God has things He wants us to learn. 2) David recognised that because Saul had been called by God to the position he held, it was God’s job, not his, to remove him. We’re not ultimately in control, God is. It’s up to Him to bring justice in our situations. It’s our job to be faithful. Paul writes, ‘Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.’ Instead of complaining, let’s work hard for God. But it’s also worth remembering that if someone is treating us badly, we should speak up about it to people who can help us. God calls us to work hard for Him, and to respect people above us. But if those people are abusing their authority, we don’t have to stay and let it carry on. Instead, we need to ask God for wisdom on how to deal with our situation.

Dan 8-10; Mark 4:13-25; Ps 144:1-8; Prov 10:19-21