Romans 13:1, Powers That Be
Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Steve Cole explained well that we are to be subject to governing authorities because it is God who ordains all human governments. As such, if we resist government authority which is established by God, we are opposing God Himself and therefore come under judgment.
God revealed to Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king that He has chosen and ordained him to be king, and he was humbled to pay obeisance to the God of heaven. This was his testimony in Daniel 4:34-37 “And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? 36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellers and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.“
In his pride, the last Babylonian monarch, Belshazzar, was judged by God for not acknowledging the authority of the living God who made him king. He was deposed. Before he was stripped of his kingdom, God pronounced His judgment by the writing that suddenly appeared on the wall of his palace that judgment is nigh. That night, the Persian army conquered the Babylonians and ruled. Daniel interpreted for the soon deposed king God’s will in Daniel 5:22-31 “22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; 23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: 24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. 25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. 27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. 28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. 29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. 30 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. 31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.“
It is humbling to know that even the most powerful men on earth in their glory are placed there by our God. Indeed, God is indeed sovereign in ordaining human governments. As His children, we can safely trust in His care as we submit to the authorities that He placed over us. Amen.