Take for example a portion of this morning's reading, Romans 13. I am familiar that this chapter talks about submitting to those who are in authority (i.e. government officials, etc). I have read this chapter many times and agree with it. It's Scripture; I need to agree with it.
But this morning as I read verse 4, something really hit me. "For he is the minister of Go to thee (me) for good." Thought I am living in Canada, I am still an American citizen. President Obama is the leader of my country. There is no way in the 8 years that he has been in office that I have looked at him as a minister of God, much less a minister of God to me for good. Yet that is exactly what Scripture is saying. President Obama is a minister of God. How can that be? I disagree with so much of what the man has done and I would have to truly confess that I have no respect for him. How can he be God's minister?
Because I am looking at the man and not at the One Who has allowed him to be in the office of US President. Does President Obama do things that the Lord would approve of? Maybe a little, but overall no. So how can he be that minister of God? And then it hit me. He is a minister who should drive me to my knees and NOT to use my mouth against him.
We all have politicians we don't like for one reason or another. And because we live in the US or are citizens of the US, we feel we have the freedom to complain and gripe. We DO have that freedom, BUT that is not what Scripture calls us to do. God has allowed this person to be in control of our country. He, the LORD, has a purpose in him ruling our country. Do I believe that? Do I pray for President Obama? Not as much as I should.
And what about this upcoming election? The two main candidates, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, are not people that are especially poplular with any of the mainstream nor me. Yet it is very likely one of them will be our next president. Have I started praying now for them believing that they could by the next "minister of God to me for good"? No, because until now I have not really believed that.
It never ceases to amaze me how all of my life gets back to faith. Do I believe God? Do I believe His Word? Last fall a friend of mine and I did the Bible study Believing God by Beth Moore. It was a great study and I would highly recommend it. Each day she encouraged us to say 5 things out loud. Though I don't say them every day since we've finished the study, I still quote them quite often. They are:
- God is Who He says He is.
- God can do what He says He can do.
- I am who God says I am.
- I can do all things through Christ (who strengthens me) (parenthesis my addition from Scripture)
- God's Word is alive and active in me.
I have to believe God. President Obama is my minister. Oh, Father, please forgive me for not praying for my minister whom You have provided. And help me to pray for the upcoming minister for that person will be the One whom You have chosen for me for good. Help me to believe you.
