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Devotion: “Let Every Soul Be Subject”Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” God does not stutter here. He does not say some souls. He does not carve out exceptions for anger, outrage, or political passion. “Let every soul be subject.” That command reaches every believer, in every generation, under every lawful authority God allows to stand. Submission to authority is not weakness. It is obedience. Scripture is clear that government authority—however imperfect—is ordained of God, not invented by men. When order collapses, chaos reigns, and chaos never produces righteousness. “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God” (James 1:20, KJV). Peaceful protest can be lawful. It can be orderly. It can even be a form of conscience. But when protest turns into rioting, burning, looting, attacking officers, or resisting lawful authority, it crosses from conscience into sin. Lawlessness is never justified by emotion, tragedy, or crowd approval. God does not excuse rebellion because feelings run hot.Romans 13 does not teach blind obedience to sin—but it does condemn defiance, violence, and anarchy. When believers cheer disorder, defend attacks on authority, or blur the line between protest and riot, they abandon biblical clarity for worldly sentiment. God is a God of order, not confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33, KJV).This verse forces every Christian to examine his spirit. Are we governed by Scripture—or stirred by outrage? Are we submitting to God’s design—or justifying what He condemns? The call is simple, but costly: Obey God. Respect authority. Reject lawlessness.That stance won’t always be popular. It never has been. But truth has never depended on applause.Prayer:Lord, give us hearts that submit where You command, courage to stand where You require, and discernment to reject lawlessness even when it wears the mask of justice. Help us obey You above our emotions and honor Your Word above the noise of the world. Amen.