Daily Devotional
God’s Sovereignty and Wicked Rulers

March 11, 2025

Ponder This

The Bible tells us human government is ordained of God. Did you know God sets up and brings down kings? That God ordains rulers, including wicked rulers? God is in control of it all.

One of the mightiest rulers in the Old Testament was Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar ruled over ancient Babylon, and Daniel was in the court of Nebuchadnezzar. When Daniel had a chance to testify to the king, he told Nebuchadnezzar where his kingly power came from. In Daniel 2:37 God said through Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar, “You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom.” This was not a godly king. This man was stuffed full of himself, but God set him up and brought him down.

There have been many wicked leaders God allowed to have power. Romans 13:1 says, “the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Who was the authority when Paul wrote this? Caesar. The Roman government was in power. It was not a democracy. The Christians were disenfranchised. They had no political power. In fact, what they believed was illegal because they refused to say, “Caesar is Lord.” Still, Paul wrote, “the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” If you resist the authorities, you’re resisting God because God set them up.

• When have you had to trust God and respect a leader with whom you disagreed? How did God help you?
• What does it look like to respect a leader that God has put into authority? What are some things we do to honor those in leadership, even when we disagree?

Practice This

Pray for the leaders of your country, your community, your church, and your workplace. Ask God to guide them and help you respect them.