Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities For their is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Romans 13:1-2

According to this passage, authority comes from God. No matter what we think about those rule over us, according to this passage, God has put them in that position for such a time as He sees fit. 

We've all heard people say, "I submit to God and God alone. No one can tell me what to do." I've been guilty of this myself. However, without submission to the governing authorities we bring judgment on ourselves.

You might say, "What about those who go against God's laws? We know His will is for us to submit to the law, but doesn't God's law override man's law?" YES!!!!

The book of Daniel has great examples of this. The Jews were taken into captivity. Among them were Daniel and his three friends. All the captive slaves were given a strict diet which contradicted God's laws concerning food. Not wanting to defile themselves, they asked the guard if they could have only vegetables and water for ten days as a test of comparison with the other slaves condition. They didn't demand their own way, they asked permission and God saw them through.

We all know how the three Hebrew children who were to bow and worship a graven image or face being thrown in a fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered with a respectful attitude, "I'm sorry, oh King, but we will not worship other gods!"

Because of their attitude of respect to those in authority, the three men of God were promoted and the Great Creator was glorified! Yes, they were thrown into the fiery furnace, but God delivered them. 

There are many other instances throughout the Bible how submitting to governing authorities brought glory to God. We have a choice to make today. Will we submit to those God has placed over us and bring glory to His name, or will be rebellious and bring judgement on ourselves? We may not always agree with authority, but we must honor their position and perhaps even learn something in the process.