Romans 13:1
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
All authority and all leadership are ordained and orchestrated by the sovereignty of our God. The believer rests in knowing that God is the One who builds up, and He is the One who lays low. The Lord “changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”
So let us be mindful to guard our hearts and minds from speaking against those the Lord, in His infinite wisdom, has ordained to lead. For when we speak against those in leadership, we speak against the Lord’s servant and against the One who has ordained all things. So far as the servant of the Lord does not keep the believer from pursuing and following the Lord, or set him against the command of the Lord, then we are to humbly submit under his authority. We are not to rise against or demean in any way that which the Lord has ordained. The Lord blesses and judges the people according to those whom He has in leadership.
Guard your heart against murmuring, and pray. Flee from gossip of those in authority and do not play the fool. Thank the Lord for His perfect sovereignty and pray for those whose leadership is ordained by God. “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” Do this for the Lord’s glory and honor, for by doing this, we bear testimony to the world that the Lord is our king and His Kingdom rules over all.
Psalm 75:7, Daniel 2:21, Romans 13:7
Father, You have sent Your Son to us, and He is King over all. How easily I neglect this thought. I am so quickly seduced into believing autonomy and democracy rule the world rather than Your sovereign hand. Forgive and soften my heart. Help me to pray for those in leadership and for those whom You have established according to Your will. Guard my heart from slander, malice, and gossip against those whom You have ordained. Thank You for Christ. In His name I ask this. Amen