Paul is clear in these verses on something that takes faith in God more than most Biblical subjects, especially these years, “The authorities that exist have been established by God. (1)”
We ask, “What? God established that person with authority over me? That parent, teacher, husband, pastor, supervisor, judge, mayor, governor, the president? They are mean and cruel. Evil. How could God do this to me?”
God sets them in authority. However, it does not mean that God agrees with and supports all the decisions they make. Like me, those in authority make wrong decisions.
So then what? Paul also wrote, “For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. (4)” God establishes people in power because he expects and knows that person can do good for others if they decide. The problem isn’t with God’s decision. The problem is the leader. They have the same problem all face, the power of sin. They came to decide improperly.
Living today can be frightening. Especially knowing people in authority over me can do good otherwise God wouldn’t have put them there, but those people chose not to or at least made a poor decision. Yet fear should not control me by abuse God is still with me. Yesterday, this verse came to me, “We humans make plans, but the Lord has the final word. (Prov. 16:1).”