The Daily Office for February 10, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 88
Genesis 27:46-28:22
Romans 13:1-14
John 8:33-47
Reading (Romans 13:1-14)
Reflection
Even though governments are generally run by nonbelievers, the teaching of the Lord Mark 12:17, the teaching today's reading from Paul's letter to the Romans, and the historic position of the church has always been that the believer must live under the law, which governed by a magistrate. As Paul wrote, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God."
This truth was strikingly illustrated in John's account of Jesus' interaction with Pilate John 19:10–11. Since all power comes from God, the believer is to be subject to that power. As we enter the tax season, as we live and work in a community, and as we conduct our daily lives it is important that we honor God by obeying the laws that have been established and never putting ourselves in a position where our integrity might be questioned by others.
Collect for the Day
Almighty God, who alone can bring order to the unruly wills and passions of sinful humanity: give your people grace so to love what you command and to desire what you promise, that, among the many changes of this world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.