Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

Romans 13:1-5

Dear God, I’m just not sure how I feel about this. I mean, sure, I get submitting to authority, but Paul takes this to an interesting place when he starts talking about leaders supporting good actions and punishing bad actions. Logically, this makes sense, but there are a lot of leaders who are not logical. They will put down good people because they see them as a threat. And I’m not talking about our government. I’m talking about countries like Russia, North Korea, Venezuela, etc. What do I do when the leader is a despot?

Well, I think I still do what I do and then submit to the consequences. No one said that the person in charge harming me for doing what’s right isn’t part of your will as well. If I lived in North Korea and was found to be talking about things with which I disagree with the leader and was put to death for it, then I could accept that because, for whatever your reason, he is the person you have put in charge of that area of the world.

Obviously, this is the “verse of the day” on Bible Gateway because it is election day in our country. Everyone is very torqued up about it. Well, not everyone, but a lot of people are torqued up about it. They are fearful of the outcome, but I would posit that they (and I) should be submitted to and at peace with this outcome as much as we should submit to the authorities that Paul mentions above.

Father, I pray for our elections today. I pray that they will bring about the outcome that fits within your will for our world. Not only our country, but also our world. Bring glory to yourself through what happens. Bring peace. Make me an instrument of your peace to the people around me. Help me to simply live in your kingdom regardless of whether my physical home is here or I am in the place to come.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen