June 4
Faith
and Authority
“All of you must obey the authorities who rule over you. There are no authorities except the ones God has chosen. Those who now rule have been chosen by God.”
Romans 13:1 (NIrV)
Camilla paced back and forth in her living room, her heart pounding as the news played on the TV in the background. The latest legislation in her city went against everything she believed God wanted for the world. As someone deeply rooted in her faith, Camilla had always strived to live by God’s principles. She believed in the sanctity of life, justice, and the need to care for the vulnerable. But this new law felt like a direct affront to those values.
“Lord, how can I support a government that enforces this?” she prayed aloud, her voice cracking. “Your ways are higher than any human laws. How am I supposed to align my faith with this?”
Camilla had always been passionate about her beliefs. Her friends often called her “the firecracker” because of how strongly she voiced her opinions. But now, the fire inside her felt like a heavy burden. She wanted to protest, to speak out against what she saw as injustice, yet something held her back.
That evening, she pulled out her Bible and flipped to Romans, a book she often turned to for wisdom. Her eyes landed on the words: “All of you must obey the authorities who rule over you. There are no authorities except the ones God has chosen.” The verse stopped her in her tracks. How could God ask her to submit to leadership she didn’t agree with?
Camilla wrestled with the idea all night, tossing and turning as questions filled her mind. By morning, she decided to pray more deeply, asking God for clarity. She sat by her window, the sunlight streaming in, and whispered, “Father, help me understand what You want me to do. Show me how to honor You while living under these laws.”
In that quiet moment, she felt a sense of peace wash over her. A thought came to her mind: You can disagree without dishonoring.
Over the next few weeks, Camilla began seeing things differently. She joined a local group that worked to provide solutions to the issues she was passionate about, focusing on creating change through service rather than anger. She wrote letters to her local representatives, sharing her concerns with respect and grace, and spent more time praying for her leaders.
Camilla realized that submitting to authority didn’t mean she had to agree with everything or stay silent. It meant trusting that God was in control, even when she didn’t understand His plan. She learned to balance her strong convictions with humility, choosing to trust God’s wisdom over her own.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding us that You are always in control, even when we struggle to understand the world around us.
Just as You guided Camilla, help us to trust Your plan and honor the authorities You have placed over us.
Give us wisdom to navigate difficult situations with grace and humility, and the courage to stand up for what is right in a way that reflects Your love.
Help us to disagree without dishonoring, and to trust that You are working all things for good.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
