Today's Devotional

July 14, 2004

Subject:  Watch What You Say About The President

Acts 23:5 - "Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people."

“This guy’s as bright as an egg timer,” actor Chevy Chase said, ridiculing the president for his tendency to sometimes flub the English language. Referring to presidential hobbies, Chase rattled off a list. “Clinton plays the sax, John plays the guitar, and the president’s a liar,” he said matter-of-factly, drawing laughs and cheers.

Comedian Whoopi Goldberg did a lewd riff on Bush's name, rocker John Mellencamp called Bush a "cheap thug." 

These are a couple of excerpts drawn from recent news articles where citizens of our country decided to take shots at our "ruler."  That's fine for them given our "freedom of speech" in this country, but how about the pain it brings to the rest of the country.  It's really quite a simple matter that I don't expect unbelievers to understand.  For those who believe however, God says in the verses below that we can enjoy quiet and peaceable lives or that we can bring terror and damnation to ourselves in relationship to the way we behave toward our leaders.  Paul clearly understood this principle and even when he was tempted to speak evil of the ruler, he reminded himself of the commands of God.  Read more of them below.    

1Timothy 2:1-2   I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Romans 13:1-3  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.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

Contrast the commands of God above (in blue) with the words of some of our famous citizens (in red).  To me this seems so clear that I want to respond with that famous tagline from bumper stickers and t-shirts - Any Questions???

Carlen