DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Who’s in Control?
by Mary McGinnis
How do you feel about submitting to authority? I do not like the feeling of being controlled
by someone else. If I am completely honest, being told what I can and cannot do
will often result in either a fight or flight reaction. Sometimes I will immediately put my proverbial dukes up, dig in my heels and fight back. On
other occasions, the more subtle approach will lead me to run and hide, hoping that no
one finds out.
When I was a teenager, my parents were fairly
strict. I had a set curfew, earlier than
most, and my friends would often tease me about it. And when it came to boys and dating, there
were some defined boundaries and rules that had to be followed.
I thought it was totally unfair! So sometimes I would sneak around and do
things behind their backs. On one occasion,
I remember my mom suspected me of lying to her. She profoundly said, “You know, you may be
able to lie and fool me, but there is always Someone (pointing upward to the
sky) who knows the truth.”
How does it feel when you read in today’s
passage these words?
“Let everyone be subject to the governing
authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.”
I don’t know about you, but it kind of
makes me want to cringe. It makes me want
to say, “But God, don’t you know that who those in authority sometimes get things
wrong? Sometimes they are misguided,
selfish, power hungry, or just plain evil? After all, I know what’s better for
me than they do!”
That is where my mom’s words come back to
me, “There is always Someone who knows the truth.” God sees all and knows all.
Even those who SEEM to be in authority
are ultimately under His rule and authority, whether they realize it or not. He
even sees where my sinful nature wants to rebel and kick against being “told
what to do,” even if that is what is best for me.
1 Peter 2:13 says, “Submit yourselves
for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the
supreme authority.”
A few verses later, Peter points us to Jesus as the example. Jesus peacefully went the way of the cross, being crucified for crimes He did not commit. And how did He do it?
“When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:23Lord, I confess that I do not like submitting. My sinful heart often wants to hide my rebellious ways or fight against authority. Help me to remember, that You know all and see all. You are the Supreme authority. Knowing that You willingly submitted to death on the cross for my rebellion, I can willingly submit my life to my earthly authorities and ultimately to You. Nothing can pluck me from Your hand. One day we will all be held accountable and will all stand before the Father in heaven. And those who are covered in Jesus’ blood will be declared righteous in Your sight. I will entrust myself to YOU!
Prayer
Practice
Prayer Journal – To begin
your daily worship today, grab a pen and paper and write out a prayer to God.
Not sure what to write? Try using ACTS to frame your prayer. Begin with
adoration for who God is. Then move on to confession – being real about where
you have fallen short in the last day or two. Give thanks to God for all that
He gives (including forgiveness for the sin you just confessed!). And then
finish with supplication – with your prayer requests to God. When you are done,
tuck this away somewhere (so you can read it later and see how God has answered
your prayers) and then move into hearing from God through His Word.
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