1st Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 6 "Not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
[Selected Messages Book 3 pp. 396>399] Every move from the first made by Satan was the beginning of his work to continue to the end to exalt the false, to take the place of the genuine. He is just as intent now and more determined to do this than ever before. He has come down with great power to deceive them who dwell on the earth with his satanic delusions. As we meet the emergency, the law of God becomes more precious, more sacred, and as it is more manifestly made void and set aside, in proportion should arise our respect and reverence for the law. In the exercise of the long suffering of God, He gives to nations a certain period of probation, but there is a point which, if they pass, there will be the visitation of God in His indignation. He will punish. The world has been advancing from one degree of contempt for God's law to another, and the prayer may be appropriate at this time, “It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law”.
Let not anyone make any proud boast, either by precept or example, to show that he is defying the laws of the land. Let none feel it is his duty to make speeches in the presence of our own people, or of our enemies, that will arouse their combativeness, and they take your words and construe them in such a way that you are charged with being rebellious to the government, for this will close the door of access to the people. We are not to be rash and impetuous, but always learning of Jesus, how to act in His spirit, presenting the truth as it is in Jesus.
When the Christian is looking forward to duties and severe trials that he anticipates are to be brought upon him, because of his Christian profession of faith, it is human nature to contemplate the consequences, and shrink from the prospects, and this will be decidedly so as we near the close of this earth's history. We may be encouraged by the truthfulness of God's word, that Christ never failed His children as their safe Leader in the hour of their trial; for we have the truthful record of those who have been under the oppressive powers of Satan, that His grace is according to their day. God is faithful who will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able.
There may be large mountains of difficulties in regard to how to meet the claims of God and not stand in defiance of the laws of the land. The believer must not be making ample provisions for himself to shield himself from trial, for he is only God's instrument and he is to go forward in singleness of purpose with his mind and soul garrisoned day by day, that he will not sacrifice one principle of his integrity, but he will make no boasts, issue no threats, or tell what he will or will not do. For he does not know what he will do until tested.
These counsels are to be of very real value in the near future, for the law of God has, for all intents and purposes been almost made void in the land, yet as Christians, we are to live in harmony with the law of God and the laws of men, as far as is humanly possible. The current deepening crisis in the financial markets has very little to do with oil, but is directly linked to the actions taken to overturn God's order as it pertains to marriage and the family, institutions which form the basis of all society. Thus our chickens are now coming home to roost, and the enemy of souls is scheduled to take payment for his work, in the most brutal and costly form.
However it still remains our sacred duty to fear God and honor the king as far as possible, and if we are willing and humble enough, God will certainly take us safely through the mountains of difficulty that may be headed our way. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which reminds us that our help is not in man, but in God, who still sits on the throne of the universe, and holds the destiny of nations and individuals in His own hands. Let's read:
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!