April 20 | Romans 13:1-10

---

DAILY READING

Romans 13:1-10

---

REFLECTION

What's Wrong with the World?

by Mary Alice McGinnis

As a five-year-old little girl, I remember thinking, “When I become a parent, I am never going to say no, punish my kids, or prevent them from doing something they want to do. I will let them do whatever they want. I will be the perfect parent.”

How do you suppose that worked out for me?

Right!

Even when my kids were seemingly innocent babies, I had baby gates to restrict them from falling down the back stairs or to prevent them from chasing the cat. I did not allow the older child to hit the younger one with a plastic baseball bat. I made rules and protective boundaries. I gave them the discipline that I thought was appropriate. All because I love them.

I was FAR from the perfect parent. Sometimes I got angry and lost my temper. Sometimes they hurt themselves or were hurt by others due to my negligence. But God gave me these children to watch over, care for, and protect anyway.

Don’t we often think things like, “What’s wrong with this world anyway? Our world would be a better place if ...” Maybe it is having the “right” people in government office or the right laws. The perfect neighbors, place to live, siblings, spouse, church. The list could go on and on.

I find today’s reading challenging. It tells me to “be subject to the governing authorities.” Just like my five-year-old self, I don’t like submitting to anyone. Let alone to those who are in places of authority that are far less than perfect, and sometimes just plain corrupt.

What do you think the Roman government was like in Paul’s day? This evil empire was known for brutally, even slaughtering Christians. Yet he says, “The authorities that exist have been established by God.” What? How can Paul say it was established by God?

When Jesus He stood before Pilate said, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” How was Jesus able to submit Himself to the authority of Pilate and the judgement he would bring upon Him? The end of 1 Peter 2:23 tells us, “He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.” Even though those in authority are less than perfect, God is still ruler and authority over all.

Today's passage caused me to ponder another question. What really is wrong with the world anyway? Why do we need parents, bosses, police, lawmakers, and governments anyway? Why do we need stop signs, courts, and all kinds of rules and laws?

Remember back in Noah’s day before the flood? Genesis 6:5 tells us, “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.”

If we had a world where we did whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted, it would turn to total chaos—because of the inclination of our hearts. By nature, we do NOT love the Lord our God above all else. We are selfish, self-seeking individuals who put ourselves above loving others.

“Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.”

If we want to know what’s wrong with the world, we need to look deeply into the mirror and say, “I am what is wrong with the world.” 

What if we truly realized the depths of our “wrongness?” Look at the cross. See Jesus hanging there offering to God His life in payment for the tremendous debt we owe. Knowing the weight of our crushing debt has been lifted, how does that liberate your and me to live differently?

“Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”

PRAYER

Bring to God today the ways you have failed to love God and your neighbor with your whole heart. Confess it before Him right now. Then lift your heart in praise to the One who paid our debt. Ask Him to show you how He wants you to give your money, honor, respect and love as a sign of how He has lifted this crushing debt from your soul.

Jesus Paid If All - by Shane and Shane

April 19 | Nehemiah 5:1-12

---

DAILY READING

Nehemiah 5:1-12

---

REFLECTION

Those in Need

by David Thompson

Many reading this passage might take away that this is negative. And, quite honestly that is how I took it the first time I read it as well. After reading this devotional, reread the passage with the insights you developed as you read.

The passage opens up (vv. 1-5) with the poor and downtrodden crying out to God with their plight. These were newer arrivals from exile or those that lived away from Jerusalem after the exile ended and had little to support themselves and their families, especially in times of famine. Who were the rich folks that were oppressing the people? They were Jews who became wealthy during the exile or those that became wealthy in the hundred years since the exile. These were well established Jews who neglected God's established plan for how you treat people who were Jews in Jerusalem.

So, what was the problem? Instead of those, who had the means to support the poor, were doing the direct opposite. The rich were charging usury (interest) and some were raising the rates higher due to the famine and their ability to control others. Charging interest was against God's plan (see Exodus 22:25). God said to not charge any interest for fellow Jews.

This reminds me of a time in Alabama when it turned bitterly cold. Most people, including my dad, had heat pumps that didn't work below twenty degrees. To make matters worse, over the three days of this cold spell, the electrical would go out. So what did some of the hardware stores that carried Kerosun kerosene heaters do? They doubled their prices. Those with means got the heaters and those without the means were cold. The backlash on the hardware store's owners was immediate and understandable. People just quit shopping there. God chose to use a more direct approach.

What happened in Nehemiah's time? He went to the rich and the nobles and had a heart to heart. He spoke for God in telling them that to help, not hurt the poor was central in following God. This is found throughout the Old Testament (Exodus 22:22-27, Leviticus 25:35-37). He told them that those that give to the poor would lack nothing (Proverbs 28:27). And this is what we need to take from today's passage. Not the negativity, but the admonition to help and support those less fortunate than ourselves.

PRAYER

Lord, help us see those in need around us and give us wisdom of what to do to help. Perhaps it is a listening ear, giving time to help with a leaky pipe or roof, if You gave us that skill. Perhaps it is a monetary donation. Whatever it is, give us the courage to step out in faith and fulfill the need to the best of our ability. Amen.

April 18 | Matthew 18:21-35

---

DAILY READING

Matthew 18:21-35

---

REFLECTION

Free Indeed!

by Judy Webb

“The king summoned the man and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn’t you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?’ The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that’s exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy.” (Matthew 18:32-35 MSG)

Forgiveness, a vast word with numerous applications. We are called to forgive one another’s wrongdoings, their unkind words, and offenses which are cut us down. We are to forgive hurts, debts, omissions, and the list goes on. One way to look at it is: because we are sinful beings, forgiveness is a way of life and is never ending. There is always someone to forgive, some offensive act to put behind us.

If we don’t understand the concept of forgiveness, it can sit like a heavy ball on our chest, a pit in our stomachs giving indigestion. We shouldn’t view forgiveness as someone getting away with anything. No, when we forgive we are the ones who benefit from the act. A heavy load is removed from our hearts and consciences.

In the case of the scripture text for today, the issue at hand is the forgiveness of debt. Just think if all your monetary debt were cancelled, how free you would feel. How free you would indeed be! Would you then feel justified in going to your neighbor who owes you $20 and demand they repay you on the spot, or else? Anyone with an ounce of human compassion wouldn’t think of doing such an outlandish thing. But would instead forgive the debt.

Forgiveness is generosity at its finest and referred to often in scripture by:

1. Do to others what you would have them do to you. (Matthew 7:12)

2. Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24)

3. Make every effort to live in peace with everyone…” (Hebrews 12:14)

This sort of living is attainable when we set aside our pride, when we extend the hand of friendship and offer everyone the opportunity to forgive and forget, as Jesus did.

PRAYER

Jesus,

Remind me often of the golden rule and teach me to live by it. Forgiveness is a way of life for the Christian. What a different world this would be for sure. Let it begin with me. Amen.