Holding on to Hope

Thursday, May 13

Today’s reading: 1 Peter 2:13-17

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

The early Christians were in a tough spot. They had been forced to scatter throughout the region. The kings and emperors of those countries did not know God, and yet, God required His people to obey them. Peter understood what these Christians were going through, so he wrote the verses in today’s reading to encourage them. He reminded them that obeying earthly authorities was God’s will. This was the attitude that Peter wanted the early displaced Christians to adopt. The Apostle Paul often found himself in a similar situation—in a foreign land that didn’t respect or worship God. His solution was: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17). As long as the Christians were not being asked to do something they knew was wrong in God’s sight, they were to obey the authorities over them—all the while, doing it with the right attitude—“in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father...”

In America’s very polarized environment, we may at different times be under a governor, a president or a Congress that has vastly different priorities than we do. Peter’s words of wisdom still hold true for us today: “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution” (vs. 13). We need to recognize that these people are only in control because God has allowed it. When we are willing to humble ourselves and be obedient to them as a way of honoring God, then we can be reassured that we are obeying God. There will always be things in life that we don’t like, that we wish were different. Yet God expects us to be faithful to Him no matter what situation we find ourselves in.

Sometimes God may ask us to speak out against a wrong in society, while other times He impresses on us to hold our tongue and wait. When we are sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit each day, God will make sure that we are in the right place at the right time to accomplish His will in our situation. Peter explains why this is so critical: “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people” (vs. 15). God has a plan to fix things. By obeying those who have authority over us and by being ready to stand up for what is right, we can be part of implementing that plan.

Peter did not want the early Christians to feel trapped by their situation, just as he would not want us to feel trapped in ours today. He urged them—and us—to live “as people who are free... as servants of God” (vs. 16). Being a servant of God makes us freer than we ever were when we were bound by sin. Remember Jesus’ words, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). Not even the governmental authorities that we live under can take away the freedom that God has given us in Christ Jesus.

Lord, You are our living hope! Even when we feel like we are trapped in an impossible situation, we remember that we are still free in Christ. We are free to choose what our attitude will be in that circumstance. God, help us to be humble and obedient within the boundaries of Your Word. And, Lord, let us praise You through it all, knowing that You have the power to transform even the worst situation into a blessing! In Jesus’ name and for the Father’s glory. Amen.

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