Today I read about Saul’s pursuit of David in I Sam 21-24. Chapter 21 begins with the account of David and his men eating the consecrated bread. I remember Jesus using this record to show that the laws were written for our benefit, not to imprison us. I also noted David’s respect for Saul because he was king, even though he was evil and out to kill him. God made him king, and until that changed he was due the respect of a king. Is that to be applied to our situation as American citizens today? Are we to take Romans 13:1 to mean that our government officials are placed in authority by God and we are to give them respect according to their station as David did to Saul? In the Thursday Bible study we’ve been reading Daniel. What I see there is again respect for the king, but also a refusal to obey any order that violated God’s law.

Every so often I think about the evil that some of my tax money is put to. I wonder if it is participation in that evil to pay taxes. In such times I remember Paul writing of the appropriateness of paying taxes to a government that was completely pagan and engaged in persecution of Christians. I also remember Jesus saying “give to Cesar what is Cesar’s.” I come to the conclusion that I must work within the confines of the law of my land until that law requires me to do evil. I am thankful to live in a country where I have the freedom to speak and to vote. I wonder if it is too late for either to change our course, but I will use it until it is taken away.