The nation which God recognizes as a nation has leaders, including one who Is superior to the others. Even the pagan Queen of Sheba acknowledged this fact during her visit with King Solomon of Ancient Israel. “Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore[,] He made you king to do justice and righteousness” (1 Kings 10:9 NKJV). The God of the Bible regularly describes Himself as a “king” — at least twenty-five times just in the Book of Psalms — since exercising divine authority over humans is appropriate, even desirable. “Let Israel rejoice in their Maker, Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King” (Psalm 149:2). Therefore, our solemn responsibility must be to “Honor the King” (1 Peter 2:17). How difficult it must have been for Peter to write such words at that time! He lived in the Roman Empire, ruled by potentates who were no friend to the message which he sought to communicate. In fact, they actively persecuted, even executed, Christians. But the ruler must be honored for his position, no matter how poorly he fills it.
