Read: Romans 13:1-7

Last Sunday, Pastor Ken preached from Romans 12:9-21, exhorting us to practice an authentic, radical love, even in the midst of persecution. This Sunday, as he continues with Romans 13:1-7, we will see how believers are encouraged to submit to God’s reign even by obeying and paying taxes to the civil government he has placed over us. As you meditate on the passage to be covered this Sunday, allow this prayer from The Valley of Vision to move you to worship God as the sovereign, majestic King over all.

Heart Preparation

O GOD,

Praise waiteth for thee, and to render it is my noblest exercise; this is thy due from all thy creatures, for all thy works display thy attributes and fulfill thy designs; The sea, dry land, winter cold, summer heat, morning light, evening shade are full of thee, and thou givest me them richly to enjoy.

Thou art King of kings and Lord of lords; at thy pleasure empires rise and fall; all thy works praise thee and thy saints bless thee; Let me be numbered with thy holy ones, resemble them in character and condition, sit with them at Jesus’ feet.

May my religion be always firmly rooted in thy Word, my understanding divinely informed, my affections holy and heavenly, my motives simple and pure, and my heart never wrong with thee. Deliver me from natural darkness of my own mind, from the corruptions of my heart, from the temptations to which I am exposed, from the daily snares that attend me.

I am in constant danger while I am in this life; let thy watchful eye ever be upon me for my defence, save me from the power of my worldly and spiritual enemies and from all painful evils to which I have exposed myself. Until the day of life dawns above let there be unrestrained fellowship with Jesus; until fruition comes, may I enjoy the earnest of my inheritance and the firstfruits of the Spirit; until I finish my course with joy may I pursue it with diligence, in every part display the resources of the Christian, and adorn the doctrine of thee my God in all things.

“God Honoured,” in The Valley of Vision

Song List for Sunday

1. “Whom Shall I Fear,” by Chris Tomlin
2. “Great I Am,” by New Life Worship
3. “The Power of The Cross,” by Keith and Kristyn Getty
4. “Be Still (Psalm 46),” by Crosspoint Music
5. “Trust You,” arr. by Shane & Shane