Do God and government have to be in conflict?
25 Apr 26
Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One
Readings:
2 Samuel 13
2 Samuel 14
Luke 20:1-26
Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s (Luke 20:25).
Do God and government have to be in conflict?
The religious hierarchy seeks to entrap Jesus. They ask, “Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” (Luke 20:22). An affirmative reply by Jesus would stir ill will with the Jews because the Romans control both land and taxes. Conversely, if He answered opposingly, the Roman government would seek retribution. Our Lord wisely points to the image on the denarius, which was Caesar’s. Referring to the term “image” would cause the Jews to think about man being made in God’s image (as is shown in Genesis 1:26). Those hearing Jesus understand that they are to pay the government the tax money due to them, and similarly render what belongs to God.
Employment Point: Render government their due, and to God who created you.
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Reflections
““No, my brother!” she said to him. “Don’t force me! Such a thing should not be done in Israel! Don’t do this wicked thing. What about me? Where could I get rid of my disgrace? And what about you? You would be like one of the wicked fools in Israel. Please speak to the king; he will not keep me from being married to you.” But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her.”2 Samuel 13:12-14 NIV
- it is lawless times and recorded down as teaching to the people who read the bible. Tamar even tried to reason with Amnon but he eventually let temptations get the better of him. He was in a state where he allowed the devil to take over. He betrayed the trust of Tamar.
- It reminded me of Judas who betrayed Jesus for money. They both let their desires go into overdrive.
“They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.”Luke 20:26 NIV
- Sometimes we think that we are really clever. however in the real life, this seldom happens. Nobody had ever win a fight with the Lord. We need to recognise this fact that He is Sovereign and He is omniscient.
- So who else to trust besides Him to guide us on the right paths?
Bottomline I felt that we cannot owe whatever thing that is supposed to be given. Especially if it involves our duty as a resident. We are a resident on earth and therefore we will need to pay our taxes, fees, charges, etc that are charged to us due to the things we receive or own. As a to-be resident in heaven, we too have to pay our dues. What dues are we supposed to pay?
These dues include tithes and offerings, service to the Lord, as well as spending time with the Lord. All these are time, activities, energy, etc that each of us ought to set aside for the Lord as part of our due to the Lord.
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Prepared in Season
BY OSWALD CHAMBERS
April 25
Be prepared in season and out of season. — 2 Timothy 4:2
In this verse, the word season doesn’t refer to a time of year; it refers to our emotional state. To be prepared “in season and out of season” is to be ready whether we feel like it or not. If we only ever do what we feel like doing, we may do nothing, forever and ever. There are unemployables in the spiritual domain—spiritually decrepit people who refuse to do anything unless they are supernaturally inspired. The proof that we are rightly related to God is that we do our best whether we feel inspired or not.
One of the great dangers is making a fetish of rare moments. When the Spirit of God gives you a time of inspiration and insight, do you say, “Now I’ll always be like this”? You won’t; God will make sure of it. Such times are entirely a gift from him. You can’t give them to yourself. If you say that your plan is always to be your best, you become an intolerable burden on God. It’s as though you’re telling him that you’ll never do anything unless he keeps you consciously inspired.
If you make a god of your times of inspiration, the Lord God will fade out of your life and never come back—not until you do the duty that lies nearest. This is how you show him you’ve committed to doing his will, in season and out.
WISDOM FROM OSWALD
We are in danger of being stern where God is tender, and of being tender where God is stern.
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Reflections
Do our best-happens to be my primary school motto. It sort of also shape my thoughts and the way I do things. I kind of want to do the best that I can every single time, else I rather not do it. However such things sometimes also require support from the rest of the team. It is therefore important to align everyone to the Lord’s purpose, encouraging them on the way.
When we are in the season, especially an active one, things run non stop and there’s no time to rest (though we should still find something in between for rest is important for our body’s restoration), we are in a high alert state and guarded. However, when the season changes or when a task is finished, there is often a period of rest but that does not mean we need not be on standby.
Those periods of rests are for us to recharge, to review and to reflect on whatever that we had experienced. It is for us to seek the Lord and understand what He is trying to teach us.
Even in the season of rest, it does not mean we can just chill and relax. All the more we should be able to remain prayerful, focus our eyes on Jesus and be on guard. It would be a mistake to let our guards down for the enemy will always be like a lion on the prowl, waiting to devour us. So do not let ourselves fall prey to the prowling lion. Persevere in our daily walk of faith.
Let’s pray:
Thank You Lord for Your reminder to us that we need to guard our hearts and not let it fall into temptations. Help us Father to be on guard as always and to seek You first. Regardless of what happens, we know that Lord you are with us and fights for us. Thank You Lord for shielding us from evil and protecting us from all attacks. Praise You Lord. 🙏🏻
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