INTRODUCTION

It should never be the desire of any believer to stand against his own government. At the same time, each believer will, at some point, be confronted with the conflicting choice to obey God rather than to obey men’s anti-scriptural precepts. When confronted with this very issue, Simon Peter gave believers a simple principle by which to live, “We ought to obey God rather than man.” So long as government does not overstep its God-given bounds, the believer should joyfully submit. Yet, when the government opposes the clear teachings of scripture, the believer should choose to obey God. The disciples did not choose to simply rebel against the authorities, but they stood their ground because the scripture demanded that they submit to a higher authority.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): The rulers had already threatened Peter and John not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Their answer at that time should have let them know they could not obey their request (Acts 4:15-20 [15] But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, [16] Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. [17] But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. [18] And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. [19] But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. [20] For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
  See All...). Acts 5:29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
  See All... also applies to Daniel 3:15-18 [15] Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? [16] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. [17] If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. [18] But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
  See All... and Daniel 6:6-10 [6] Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. [7] All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. [8] Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. [9] Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. [10] Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
  See All....
• (For everyone): Do you look for ways to be in opposition to your government? How is this a sure indicator of a rebellious heart? What is God’s desire for your relationship to government?
• What are some areas in which you foresee that you are going to have to disobey the government in order to obey God? How can you resolve to do right before those situations arise?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to give you wisdom to follow the Lord.
• Ask God to give you grace to do right with humility.

HYMN

DARE TO BE A DANIEL

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