“… I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
This is the antithesis of America today. We are not
tranquil or quiet when it comes to our leaders and no one in their right mind
would describe us as having dignity.
There should be no “endzone dances” or pointing fingers this
morning, as both sides of the isle violate these verses. There may be some who pray,
intercede and give thanks for ALL who are in authority. But
most of us prefer to call our adversaries names, assign blame, and slander our
opponents.
As Christians who profess to believe that the Bible is
the inerrant word of God…it’s odd that we so quickly ignore what this chapter
refers to as “good and acceptable in the sight of God.” We are stringent when
it comes to sin outside our accepted parameters… but casually ignore verses as
crystal clear as the one above.
Will you do this? Will you pray for a party you don’t
agree with and conduct yourself with dignity?... Will you pray for ALL
who are in authority?… Because that is what the verse instructs you to do.
The second part of the passage and the rest of the
chapter, instructs us to lead tranquil, quiet lives in all godliness
and dignity not seeking attention but pursuing holy obedience.
Is that your target today?… Are you aiming for tranquil
quietness or are you itching to get on your keyboard and start a fight. Is today going to be about you and your
stellar debate skills? Or about God?
Making ourselves and our plans the center of attention is
tempting. We honor our leaders if they agree with us. If not, we go completely
off the rails. Yet our job is to lift holy hands in prayer without anger or
dispute… live with dignity and direct all attention to our Maker.
Leaders can do
nothing without God allowing it, so focus your hope on the highest authority
instead of subordinates. Live today as if the one who is in control loves you… because
He does.
"The king’s heart is a stream of water in the
hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will." – Proverbs 21
