MAR 1

Ecclesiastes 8:1-5
Memorise Romans 13:2
"A wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment"

HOW SHOULD WE OBEY?

Kings and governments wield a great power and authority over his nation, and no man may question his rule or his decisions. There would be occasions where they are in such positions of authority whereby no one can even question his decisions. Yet we will not always agree with such decisions. Especially when these leaders do not act out of the interest of the people under their charge, but instead do things out of selfish motives. How are we to react and respond under such circumstances?

Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes 8:5 that a wise man would know how to be humble and submit and obey the word of his king, or any authority above him. This is because his heart would know when is the best time to speak up or to keep silent, to give judgment or to withhold it. He is discerning, and will always choose the course of action that shows respect to the authority, but is yet the right decision that glorifies God. He will always keep the king’s commandment, and so the promise is that you shall ‘feel no evil thing’, in that you should never be in a position to ‘feel’ or to know and experience any evil thing, for it is with wisdom and discernment that he conducts himself, and it is unlikely that the authority will react badly against you. However if you rebel, speak up without respect and do all to oppose the authorities, it is likely that there would be repercussions against you. Instead, the wise person would know how to rightly submit, and respectfully disagree when necessary.  

Yet despite all the apparent power that human authority has, there are many limitations to their power. Therefore although they have authority here on earth whilst they are in power, they are still no different from mortal man, and are limited in their ways, and thus we take comfort in the fact that God is still and always in control.

Dear teen, how do you interact with the authorities over you? We have parents, teachers in school, even student leaders that are placed over us. Are we one to constantly fight and rebel against authority, for we hate to be told what to do? Realise that that is not the way of the wise, for God has instructed us to obey respectfully, for if you resist such authority, you are resisting the ordinance of God! (Romans 13:2)

Thought: When I obey my parents, I obey God.
Prayer: Lord, place in me a submissive and respectful spirit.