Obey the King

Today’s reading echoes what Pastor Steve taught us last Sunday. We are told 1. To obey the king and 2. to not get our hopes too high when it comes to human leadership. As we have seen this week, leaders rise and fall. David, Solomon, Joe, and Donald – all human leaders will have achievements and failings, and ultimately will not be able to save us. The One we saw was faithful this week was God.

Study the Scripture

Read in  Ecclessiastes 8:2-17

 For more help use this Bible Study method

REFLECTION

I Don’t Understand!!

by Mary McGinnis

How many times in your life have you said, “I just don’t understand?”

Many times when I try to wrap my head around the injustices of this world, evil thriving and good being snuffed out, the rise and fall of power, my heart wants to scream out, 

“I don’t understand, God!”

In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, where do we turn? How do we make sense of it all? How do we decipher truth from lies? How do we know which way to turn, what decision to make, and where the path our decisions will lead?

King Solomon was given extraordinary wisdom as a gift from God. In today’s reading, through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, Solomon tells us, “Obey the King.”

But don’t our Kings, or in our case, our Presidents, make mistakes? Aren’t they all frail human beings with a fallen nature? Aren’t they just in it for themselves? If we obey them, couldn’t it lead to disaster and maybe even destruction of life as we know it? 

There seems to be a tension between these words in Scripture:

"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." Romans 13:1

"But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!" Acts 4:19

 In all his God given wisdom, Solomon comes to this conclusion:

"When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the labor that is done on earth—people getting no sleep day or night— then I saw all that God has done.

No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.” (Ecclesiastes 8:16-17) 

We cannot and NEVER WIILL be able to make sense of it all. But we CAN trust in: 

“God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.”  (I Timothy 6:15) 

UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER - SATURDAY

Prayer Practice: Spend time praying this week that God would help you to trust in Him and Him alone, no matter what happens on Tuesday.