Lessons from Star Trek

We are watching the series Deep Space 9 -- a Star Trek offshoot. The segment we saw recently was about a character named Worf who was on trial for shooting down (by accident) an unarmed air freighter. In the trial, the prosecutor asked Chief O'Brien, second in command, that if he had been in command that day rather than Worf, would he have chosen to fire upon the freighter in which innocent civilians were killed?

O'Brien hesitated.
Finally he said that was an unfair question. He wasn't the one in command and the world looks very different from that position. It is easy to second guess those in authority, especially in hind-sight when you know the results of their decisions. But one cannot say, "I would've done something else", unless one was in the same situation with the same responsibilities, experience, and understanding of the big picture.

It struck me that this had lessons not only directly applicable to parents' decisions and authority, but also to God. Children, you are not your parents. You cannot understand all the ramifications and motivations and concerns that compel your parents to make the decisions they make. What you can be assured of is that no one loves you more, knows you better, or has your best interests alone at heart. Similarly, we cannot possibly understand or second-guess God unless we are God. And we are not. Second-guessing authority is easy. True leadership...as well as true submission to Godly authority... is not.
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Hebrews 13:17 

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Romans 13:2 

Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

Titus 3:1

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

Ephesians 6:1-4 

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Romans 13:1-14 

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

Matthew 28:18 

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Romans 12:17-19 

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”