We like to think that we're totally free here in America. But even here, we are still under more authority than we realize at times. And sometimes those authorities are wise, sometimes they are not, and sometimes they are even angry. The Bible gives us many examples of how wise people reacted to an angry king or ruler: David and Saul, Daniel's three friends and Nebuchadnezzar, Nehemiah and Artaxerxes, and even Christ Himself before Pilate. Conciliation pacifies great offenses. It's not uncommon for fools to be promoted to high places, while those who are honorable are treated like dirt. And when this happens, the people suffer for it. The world has been turned upside down, and we know it shouldn't be this way. But the King of glory Himself came to earth as a man, and suffered humiliation and even death, so that the world would be flipped over again. In this world, we need to maintain a Christian posture. Don't be surprised when people look down on us, even though we are sons and daughters of the King. And we will despair if we place our confidence in finally having all the right people in government offices, or even in the church. So we must not put our hope there. The anchor of our soul is in Jesus alone, and not in any earthly authority system. Our hope must be grounded in Christ. Rulers will mess things up under the sun. But in heaven, King Jesus still reigns perfectly, and we can look forward to the day when He will return and make all things right.
