07/14/2022
Do we worship, honor, and obey God above all else as we should? When the laws of men ask us to disobey His commands and commandments, are we courageous enough in our faith to say no? Would we be willing to abandon our home and become aliens in a foreign land if that is what it takes to remain righteous? God abhors sin, and just because we are told to honor our leaders, we are still subject to God. Sometimes the penalty for disregarding man’s law can be great, and when this is the case then we face a decision that tests our faith to its very core. This is when we must determine who we serve… will it be God, or man?
“The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.”
Psalm 99:2 ESV
Sometimes when we turn to scripture for an answer, and we aren't careful to read broadly enough to gain context, we can get a false impression of what God is telling us. An example is to read a single verse that seems to tell us one thing…
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
Romans 13:1 ESV
And then a second verse that might amplify the first…
“Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur His judgment.”
Romans 13:2 ESV
We read this and can think that it is telling us to obey all human governors no matter what, and that if we don’t we will be punished by God, but if we read carefully, we discover that our leaders are those appointed by God, and a subsequent verse helps us understand further by defining who our rulers are; they are godly men and women who serve Him according to His Word. Our rulers are God’s servants who He has chosen to uphold what is right…
“For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.”
Romans 13:3-4 ESV
So above all else, and all people, we are to exalt God, just as our leaders are meant to do. We are to worship at His feet, and recognize that He is Holy. There is no other above Him, which begs us to ask the question… Will we worship Him, honor Him, and obey Him above all else?
“Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!”
Psalm 99:5 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your goodness, righteousness, and Holiness. Thank you for your Son Jesus who has taught us to worship you as we should. You are our Holy God who is above all people, all things, and we will worship you without equal. Help us Father to discern between those who claim to be your appointed ones, and those who truly are. Praised be your name because Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is worthy of all praise and worship. We praise you for every blessing you pour out upon us, and for every opportunity we have to glorify you. Merciful are you who hears our prayers, our songs, and our worship as it rises up before you. We chant together as one… “Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who was, and is, and is to come.” Wash us clean of all sin with the blood of your Son Jesus. Father, see us transformed into His image; then, when we come before you in judgement, and by your grace, deem us worthy, and seat us at your table forevermore… eternally in your presence.
“Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy!”
Psalm 99:9 ESV
Rich Forbes