Everyone Give

Give everyone what you owe him:  if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect then respect; if honor, then honor. ~ Romans 13:7

You've heard the saying, "Only two things are for certain:  death and taxes".  Maybe.  Sorry.  Bad joke, I know, but I couldn't help myself.  Anyway....Paul started Romans 13 with the topic of submitting to authorities; especially authorities of government and law as God has ultimately allowed them to be placed in those powerful positions for reasons we probably won't ever understand (especially if we disagree with them).  We'd love to be able to do whatever we want, whenever we want, but there has to be laws that everyone is expected to live by so that this broken world can somewhat function how God intended.  Besides, if you proclaim to be a follower of Jesus than you are called to be more Christ-like; which means being good, kind, compassionate and helpful (just to name a few of His attributes) and breaking the law that He has allowed to be put in place is to be in direct disobedience to our calling.  In today's world where everyone is offended and fights back, or lashes out at almost all forms of authority, we should hold our misguided tongues and actions honorably as this is also being obedient to what Christ would have us do and in doing so, we honor Him.  Yes, it's okay to disagree, but do we have to be so nasty about it?  Why can't we learn to agree to disagree without being so disrespectful?  That is not pleasing to God.  So we should honor and respect the authorities so that we may also respect, revere and humbly honor our God.  In the heat of whatever injustice you may feel, we must remember that we are to obey our God rather than our selfish worldly desires and to obey God is to be respectful and honoring in all circumstances so that the Lord Almighty can justly fight for you in your faith - even if you don't understand.  God's ways are completely contradictory to the worlds; we are supposed to have a different opinion, but we are still to be honorable.  God's way is to obey the law of the land even if you don't agree and by being obedient, respectful and honorable God can move within that space to continue to hold you up in your faith.  Who knows, you may be a refreshing light to an authority figure who hasn't been revered in a long time.  Lord, even when I don't understand, or agree, please help me to be respectful to all forms of authority so that I may be honorable in your eyes. ~ Amen  

Commit Yourself

But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand.  The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. ~ Psalm 10:14

Jesus sees and hears everything.  Imagine what it must be like to see how His creation treat each other sometimes.  I can't begin to fathom how much we must grieve Him.  Being a mother of two is overwhelming at times and more than enough, but I bet their bickering when they were little is nothing like what God hears.  Jesus hears it all.  Jesus himself was the victim of great trouble and grief down here on earth.  Jesus felt every human emotion and so knows what it's like to be in agony.  That Jesus experienced the frustrating, angry, hurt and grief stricken feelings while down here as I do some days give me hope.  I don't know if "hope" is the right word, but I think to myself, "If Jesus, the Son of God, had to go through this than who am I to think that I should be spared trouble?  If the devil tried to tempt Him, who am I to think I won't be spared temptation?"  If Christ had to go through grief and trouble, than of course we do, but never forget to invite Him in to help you.  He sees what is going on and wants to be invited into the battle with you; He is your ultimate helper.  This is a call for all of us to cast our burdens, cares and anxieties on God so that He can step in and take care of us; to trust Him to do His will.  That you have to go through hardships alone is a lie from the enemy; you have a GIANT warrior on your side if you would only commit to asking for His help and move out of the way!  This scripture also implies that God is aware and knows every detail of what wicked and evil people do and He understands the pain they cause.  That He does not care, or have an interest in how people treat us is a lie from the devil.  We are God's children!  Of course He cares!  God sees the inflicted and helpless and He will fight for you.  He will sustain you.  Commit yourselves to Him.  Lord, please be with my brothers and sisters who are suffering and please comfort them and fight for them. ~ AMEN