Daily Devotional
How to Deal with Corrupt Authorities
“Let the Lord judge between you and me, and let the Lord avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you.”
1 Samuel 24:12
November 13, 2021
Ponder This
Despite the tension between them, David spoke to Saul with reverence. There was respect. There was reason. There was reliance upon God. David did not vilify his spiritual authority but instead pleaded his righteous cause. What should we, as God’s children, do when we are faced with corrupt authorities? We ought to do what David did. Do you see how gentle David’s spirit was? We must obey God rather than men. If some so-called authority commands you to murder, you can’t murder. If some so-called authority commands you to commit adultery, you can’t commit adultery. But we must be careful that, when we have authority over us, we do not have a spirit of rebellion. Instead, we should have, as David had here, a gentle spirit and a pleading spirit rather than a rebellious spirit.
- When do you find it difficult to show respect and reverence for the authorities in your life?
- How might you show reverence and respect while also obeying God rather than man?
Practice This
Read all of 1 Samuel 24. Note the ways David showed respect and reverence to Saul while also obeying God first and foremost.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
