Good morning! Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to submit to authorities we do not agree with. Maybe you have an older sibling that once bossed you around as a kid. Was it easy to submit to them or did it require your parents to intervene and say, listen to xxx they are in charge until I get back or while you are outside playing? For me – that strongwilled kid, I had to be told to listen, especially when I didn’t agree with that authority (I could rule myself). Today, we will continue in 1 Peter 2 and read more on this topic. Join me.

Bible verse – 1 Peter 2:13-17 NLT
“¹³ For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, ¹⁴ or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

¹⁵ It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. ¹⁶ For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. ¹⁷ Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.“

Reflection
Remember our actions speak louder than words and our reactions say a lot about our heart condition. Today, as we ponder on these verses, we are being challenged to submit to authority that God has put in place. We may not always agree with the authority, but we are called to pray for them, whether it is our parents, bosses, elected officials, etc. We are called to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Therefore, pray for those in authority and live a life that is aligned to the word of God.

In light of today’s verses and the a paragraph above, who do you need to pray for? _______

Sisters and brothers, when ignorant people make claims against you, keep living a life that is pleasing to God. Don’t fear what others say against you, trust the One who created you to take control of the situation or give you insight and discernment to address the situation. Use the discernment God gives to keep you from evil or retaliation against those who desire to malign your character. Pray for those in authority so that when they hear a case against you, that they will see you respond in a godly manner and have favor toward you.

Within your circle of influence who needs to hear or see you respond to people/situations in a godly manner? ________ (e.g., yourself, your spouse, your kids, etc.)

Finally, remember your freedom in Christ Jesus. We were once enslaved by the world, but now we are free in Christ Jesus. As you go to work, school, etc., remember to check your heart condition make sure the Lord is present in your heart so that the words that flow from your lips bring God honor.

Prayer
Father God, your word is clear that we must pray for our leaders daily and abide as long as the ruling or decisions do not conflict with the teaching of scripture. Lord, if you can change the hearts of kings in the old testament, you can certainly change the hearts of leaders around the world. Lord, we pray for change, we pray for our leaders to be of sound mind and motive. Lord, while you are working on our leaders, work in and help us to make a difference in our families and in the world. Lord, direct us in the way we should go. Lord, transform us. Lord, be our fortress as we proceed with this day. In Jesus name, amen.

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