“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
(Romans 13:1)
This week, we’re focusing especially on being thankful for all the ways God provides for us. Today I am giving thanks to God for the gift of government.
This one might be a bit difficult. It seems much more common and natural to complain about government than to be thankful for it. And certainly the behavior of some of those entrusted with leadership in our government provides much to complain about. No matter how you feel about what’s going on in Washington right now, there is much to find fault with.
But there is also much to be thankful for. I’m thankful for our form of government in this country, and the freedom and power that it guarantees to the people, especially the freedom to worship as we are led to by God. I am thankful for a form of government where there is the possibility of holding accountable those who fail to live up to the responsibilities entrusted to them. I’m thankful for local government that seeks to ensure that the community I live in is safe. And, when so much attention is drawn to those who are not doing government leadership well, I am thankful for the countless people who serve in our government at all levels, who, day in and day out, faithfully serve our city, state and country.
The text above clearly points to government as a gift of God. Think about it: The government to which Paul was referring was the Roman Empire, a pagan government that merely tolerated Christians on a good day, and openly persecuted them at other times.
So today I am giving thanks to God for the gift of government. Thanks be to God!
What are you thankful for today?
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