“In your freedom, live as God’s servants. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 1 Pet. 2:16-17
Heavenly Father, in the past 20 years of my life I’ve vexed, wrangled, and criticized political leaders more than I’ve prayed for them—on both sides of the isle, and both sides of the oceans surrounding my homeland. Aggravation and distrust have come easier than prayer and gratitude. That’s a confession not a boast.
It’s humbling to realize that when Peter wrote this letter, the despotic narcissist Nero was the sitting emperor in Rome. Corruption permeated both religious and secular courts. But Peter clearly lived with greater trust in Jesus—the King of kings, than fear of the madman of all madmen, Nero.
Today and every day—hope, wisdom, and redemptive engagement are the order of the day. For you’ve already installed Jesus as king of the cosmos (Psalm 2). Jesus’ kingdom has come and will come in fullness one Day. You continue to “set up and sit down” kings and presidents, premiers and governors at your bidding. That doesn’t mean they’re all good; but that they’re all yours.
So, show us what “doing good” looks like as dual citizens—1st of your Kingdom, and 2nd of our country. And keep us from confusing or conflating the two. The Scriptures and Gospel call us to live as your servants—ONLY fearing, revering, and worshipping you. Forgive us when we’re tempted to see mere men even as “little gods”—like the crowd who called Barnabus, Zeus, and called Paul, Hermes—after they healed a lame man (Acts 14:8-18).
And please give us humble leaders in our countries and churches, who like Barnabus and Paul, didn’t see themselves as special, but as your servants. Decrying adulation and deification—they “tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: ‘Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you.’” Please, Abba, please—give us these kinds of leaders. So Very Amen.