Today is momentous.  At noon, the United States of America inaugurated a new president.  We can say nothing less than may God bless our new commander-in-chief and prosper his administration for these next four years.  We pray for President Obama because he is the Lord's instrument in the civil realm to uphold law and promote welfare for all.

Barack Obama will be answerable to God for the conduct of his office for it is God's will that authority be exercised among men for good and not for evil. 

But it is essential we realize our own accountability.  The Bible speaks just as formidably about our duty as citizens as it does the responsibility of our leaders.  We each must submit ourselves with honor to those in authority over us.

President Obama can expect exhaustive scrutiny of his words and actions.  The press, the public, and the planet are extremely fussy.  He will find it impossible to please everyone.  He will be under an international microscope which few beyond our departing president, George Bush, can appreciate.  But realize the eyes of God see deeper than public policy.  The Lord probes further than the most diligent lobbyist or journalist.  He cares about the truth.  He calls all of us, whether prominent or obscure, whether in control or under control to live in Christian integrity.

This does not mean we may not exercise our lawful privilege of dissent.  It does mean, however, that no matter what our political persuasion or party affiliation, regardless of which candidate for whom we may have voted, Barack Obama is now our president.  Christians, therefore, may not stoop to the ugly methods and mendacious means of ignorant men.  We must never demean the office or debase the man for the Lord will see such conduct.  To silence ignorance is why Christians must show the utmost respect.

God has placed the welfare of this nation not simply into the hands of a president.  Its interests and happiness lean upon the righteous deeds of free men who live as servants of God, paying "to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed." (Romans 13:7)

God here places together in one breath our faith in God, our love for fellow believers, and our obligation to serve under authority.  To behave without faith, love, or respect would insinuate that God is incapable of instituting good order for society or that God is incompetent to use whomever He chooses.

The following anecdote comes to mind.

Many years ago the people of one Lutheran congregation were faced with the need to provide a more appropriate home for their pastor and his large family.  The church-owned parsonage was simply too small.  The means were available to improve the situation, but at one gathering to discuss the options, some in attendance were making up their mind on the basis of whether they liked the pastor or not.

The discussion seemed at loggerheads until one slight young lady raised her hand and said, "I thought we were here to please the Lord.  It isn't about the one who leads, whether we agree with him or like him.  Isn't it for the Lord's sake we do the good thing, use our freedom, fulfill our calling as servants, and show respect?

The quiet and unity created by her Christ-focused response was all that was needed.

Let us pray for and expect the best from our new president.  For the Lord's sake, let's accept him, implore God to guide him, and honor one given such an enormous and difficult responsibility.  A great many in our country did not accord our last president such consideration.  Much opposition was graceless and criticism contemptible.

Let us spare our new chief executive the ignorant talk of foolish men.  For the Lord's sake, let's bring no disrepute on our leaders so that we bring no disgrace upon our Lord.