“For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it” (Matthew 8:9).
Scripture is filled with the truth of our need for authority. The sinner believes they are an authority unto themselves. Granted authority, you do what you are commanded under the authority granted you. We are also to respect the granted authority. “When I say do this, the slave does it.” We too are under the authority of Christ. We are to do what He tells us to do. When He says, “Go,” we are to go.
Lord, in contemporary culture, I too believe that I can do as I please. Help me to understand that You are the only One with all power and authority. You grant it to whom You grant it. Bring me to the place where I respect authority such that I submit, even when I do not agree with what is being done. I’m not talking about wanton sinfulness, but whether I would do things in a different way.
Lord Jesus, throughout Your earthly ministry, You demonstrated that You were absolutely under the authority of the Father. You did not waver. Help me to realize today that I am absolutely under Your authority. Teach me to not question You, but to do what You ask me to do. Teach me true obedience so that in my daily life, I respect all granted authority and learn how to be an obedient citizen under legitimate authority. Amen.
