God Sends Helpers

Read

Romans 13:1 "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."

Think

Picture this. You are riding in the car with your family. Up ahead, the light turns red and everybody stops. But then you see something flashing. Red and blue lights. A loud siren. Whoop, whoop!

A fire truck comes racing through. And guess what? Every single car pulls over to the side to let it pass. Even grown-ups stop and wait. Why? Because those firefighters are on their way to help somebody who needs them right now.

Have you ever noticed how many helpers God has put around you? Police officers keep your neighborhood safe. Firefighters run toward danger when everybody else runs away. Doctors and nurses help you feel better when you are sick. Teachers help you learn to read and do math. Parents tuck you in at night and help you understand the world as you grow.

Here is the amazing part. God did not just let those people show up by accident. Our verse today says that every authority, which is a fancy word for the people in charge, was placed there by God. He put them there on purpose.

Think about that. When a police officer waves to you across the street, God planned for that person to keep you safe. When a firefighter climbs a tall ladder to help, that is one of the ways God takes care of his people. These brave helpers are a gift, and every good gift comes from God.

Sometimes we can even hear God through the authority he puts over us. When a teacher tells you to be kind, that is God's kindness. When a firefighter teaches you to stop, drop, and roll, God is using that person to keep you safe. God speaks to us and cares for us through the helpers he sends.

Today our church is doing something special called Honor the Brave. We get to say “thank you” to the first responders in our city. They are the brave ones who come help us when things get scary. And every one of them is part of God's good plan to watch over you.

Apply

Say thank you – Find one helper this week and thank them. It could be a teacher, a crossing guard, a police officer, or even your mom or dad. Look them in the eye and say, "Thank you for helping me." By doing that, you are honoring the people God has placed in your life.

Pray

God, thank you for all the helpers you put in my life. Thank you for police officers, firefighters, doctors, teachers, and my family. Help me to honor them and listen to them, because I know you placed them in my life for a special purpose. In Jesus' name. Amen.