The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 8 OCTOBER 2020 – TOPIC: BEFORE TWO OPINIONS

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TOPIC: BEFORE TWO OPINIONS

READ: ECCLESIASTES 8:1-9 (NKJV)1. Who [is] like a wise [man?] And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, And the sternness of his face is changed.2. I [say,] “Keep the king’s commandment for the sake of your oath to God.3. “Do not be hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him.”4. Where the word of a king [is, there is] power; And who may say to him, “What are you doing?”5. He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful; And a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment,6. Because for every matter there is a time and judgment, Though the misery of man increases greatly.7. For he does not know what will happen; So who can tell him when it will occur?8. No one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit, And no one has power in the day of death. [There is] no release from that war, And wickedness will not deliver those who are given to it.9. All this I have seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: [There is] a time in which one man rules over another to his own hurt.*THE MESSAGE:*Every Christian is called to be a law-abiding citizen and to respond to godly policies of government. This includes payment of taxes and obedience to certain policies which can even negates our views. From this scripture, the writer makes reference to the king and the ruler. There are several references to the one in charge – “the command of the king” (verse 2); “the word of the king is authoritative” (verse 4); “he who keeps the royal command” (verse 5); “a man has exercised authority over another” (verse 9).The scripture makes mention of the minister or the officer or the attendant in the royal court who has the obligation to hear and execute the ruler’s commands. In almost every condition, there is the one in charge and the one who must follow the command. Looking at the scripture, you will find that kings had almost unlimited power: the power of life and death. In Joseph’s world, there was Pharaoh; in Daniel’s world there was Nebuchadnezzar; in Nehemiah’s world there was Cyrus. All these dealt with difficult bosses, but they all exercised enormous wisdom. What happens when a king gives an order that is neither just nor wise? What happens when a king orders a servant to do evil? This is when wisdom is needed most! Our options include:1. Don’t do it (disobey);2. Desert it (runaway);3. Defy it;4. Discernment. Like Joseph, like Daniel, like Nehemiah, we need wisdom*PRAYER:* Lord, make us disciplined and submissive to Your authority as our King and to those whom You have appointed to lead us