Pocket Devotions Day 827: A Law Follower or Law Breaker? Romans 13:4 For he is Gods servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is Gods servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Thoughts for Today: Not long ago I was driving on Crown Valley Parkway near my home with my 23 year old daughter Rebecca. She said, Watch out Dad, theres usually a cop up there on the right. They always hide behind that big tree. Sure enough there was a policeman in the shade of the tree, pointing his radar gun in our direction. I glanced at my speedometer, and was relieved to find it registered less than the 45 mph speed limit. I thought back to my younger days and realized I used to know where every speed trap was located. I would always be on the lookout for law enforcement officers -- my head in continual rotation, checking side streets, my rear and side view mirrors, aware and on-guard. Why? Because most of the time I was driving too fast, and rather than slowing down to follow the speed limit all the time, I avoided tickets by reducing my speed whenever a police officer was present. If while driving, your heart beats a little faster whenever a highway patrol officer pulls up beside or behind your vehicle, then todays passage is for you. Paul tells us not to worry, For he is Gods servant to do you good. In other words, hes there to protect you. But hes also there to enforce the law. So lawbreakers beware: But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is Gods servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. As we get older, I think its interesting how our perspective changes. Many young people resent police officers because they think their presence is simply meant as a burden to freedom of expression and an unveiled threat of punishment. When older, our point of view shifts to gratitude for their protection and enforcement of the law. I guess it depends on whether or not we are law followers or law breakers. Questions to Ponder: Pauls point in our passage today is to follow the law. However, it is also an encouragement to those of us who do so: Those who break the law will have to deal with the wrath of Gods appointed servants (police officers and other civil servants). What is the wrath? Fines, penalties, loss of privileges, and incarceration for serious offenses. The implied meaning is to not take matters into our own hands. To trust His wrath as expressed through His servants (government), and to not break the law ourselves in order to seek justice. Tempted to do so? What is Gods will? Do you trust Him?
Posted on: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 13:56:55 +0000
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