Then he [Jesus] said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”  Matthew 22:21

God is the author of authority. And He always works through authority. In fact, authority is in the very character and nature of God.  Think about the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit—three in one, one in three; co-existent, co-eternal, co-creators. They are all equal in form, but different in function. As they work together, they have authority and submission going on.  When Jesus lived on this earth, He submitted Himself to the authority of the Father. The Holy Spirit submitted Himself to the authority of the Son. So in the very essence of who God is, we have authority and submission. Not only did He submit to God’s authority, but also He submitted to the authorities on earth. And He made this clear when He quoted today’s verse to the Pharisees who were trying to discredit Jesus by trapping Him with His own words.  Authority issues. Don’t let them manifest themselves through various forms of rebellion. Take your cue from the Trinity: commit now to submit to the authority placed over you, so that later, you won’t fall into a trap created by your own actions or words. 

Dear Lord, Sometimes I just feel so helpless when my rebellion flares up. Before I know it, I say or do something that I come to regret later. Please help me to come to You first, the Author of Authority, whenever these issues come into my life. I know that with Your strength, I can do all things—even it means submitting to the authority placed over me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.