To Obey or Not to Obey, That is the Question

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Genesis 50:1—Exodus 2:10
Matthew 16:13–17:9
Psalm 21:1-13 
Proverbs 5:1-6

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Exodus 1:15-17 "Then Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, gave this order to the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah: 'When you help the Hebrew women as they give birth, watch as they deliver. If the baby is a boy, kill him; if it is a girl, let her live.' But because the midwives feared God, they refused to obey the king’s orders. They allowed the boys to live, too."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

For the Christian citizen, there are two primary laws: the law of the land and the Law of God. Ideally, we live in a country where we can obey both, simultaneously.

For instance, God's Word says in Exodus 20: "You shall not murder." The United States of America also has the same law on their books - it is illegal to murder and it carries a stiff penalty. So, as I live out my faith and comply with God's Law, I am also simultaneously complying with my country's laws. This is the ideal situation.

Fortunately, I am blessed to live in a country where I can generally obey both at the same time. Yet, when unjust and unrighteous laws are put on the books, the Christian citizen will be forced to make a decision – to obey the Law of God or obey the laws of man. For the sold-out follower of Jesus, that decision has already been made.

We see this played out in the verses for today. The Israelite midwives were commanded in the laws of the land to murder all of the newborn males. The Law of God (even though it had not yet been written on stone, it was written on their hearts) demanded that they value all life. So they obeyed God's Law and disobeyed man's law. In so doing, they gained the favor of God and were willing to take the consequences from man.

So what is our response to this truth?

- Pray for our governmental leaders. We should pray that they only put into law those commands that will allow us to obey them as we obey God's Word.

- Spend much time in God's Word so that you know what it says and can obey it. When God's Word conflicts with man's laws, calmly exercise civil disobedience (many of the Civil Rights Movement leaders did this).

- Pray regularly for our persecuted brothers and sisters who live in countries where obeying God Word puts them in direct opposition to the laws of the land and the government that enforces it.