Righteousness

(Prov 14:34 GW) Righteousness lifts up a nation, but sin is a disgrace in any society.

This morning we continue our series In this verse Solomon tells us something that we all need to hear, especially since it seems like the moral fabric of our nation is deteriorating more and more every day.

What Solomon tells us seems even more impressive today, because it is coming from a sitting king. This national leader, while serving God by serving his people, tells us that the key to national success is righteousness.

Other translations say, “Righteousness exalts a nation.” If a nation wants to be blessed, then it must put leaders in place that will establish national policy that lines up with God’s Word. Once a nation starts to stray from righteousness and Godliness, it is only a matter of time before sin abounds and the nation becomes a disgrace before God.

The Hebrew word used for “disgrace” in this text is only found one other place in the Bible, in Leviticus 20:17, where it says: “If a man marries his sister, the daughter of either his father or his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a shameful disgrace. They must be publicly cut off from the community. Since the man has violated his sister, he will be punished for his sin.” The point is that the same level of disgrace that would be given to a man who sleeps with his sister is given to nation that falls into sin. This is a good reminder for us today.

I wish this verse were inscribed over the United Nations instead of the verse about beating their swords into plowshares, which will not happen until Christ reigns on this earth. When Christ returns, then they will learn that righteousness does exalt a nation. Today the nations do not believe that righteousness exalts them, but history bears testimony to it. The pathway of history is strewn with the wrecks, the debris, and the ruins of nations that didn't follow this principle. Sin is a reproach to any people. The scripture referred to, that is posted at the U.N. headquarters, is Isaiah 2:4.

In that verse Isaiah tells us that the Lord will ‘some day’ judge all nations. The point is that instead of pointing out the fact that eventual judgment shall come, why not use a scripture like this one (Prov 14:34) that would remind national leaders that their decisions matter TODAY? Sure, nations will be judged, but in reality nations (and citizens) are being judged daily. God is not going to overlook sin. We all – individually and corporately – will reap what we sow.

In order for a nation to be great, its leaders and people must have upright and moral character; they must be known for their righteousness. Where corruption, bribery, immorality, scandal, and all forms of civil unrighteousness abound, the nation will be a disgrace before God. But where justice, virtue, honestly, integrity, equality, and morality abound, righteousness will abound and the nation will be honored before God.

So what does this mean to you? It means that you should pray for our nation, its leaders, and it citizens; so that we could be the nation God has called us to be. I will close with the words of Paul, from his first letter to Timothy. Paul wrote: “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity” (1 Tim 2:1,2).

Father, I declare, by faith, that I will pray for my nation, its leaders, and every elected and selected official. I will pray for our judges, so that they would exercise righteousness judgment. I will pray for our legislators, so that they would establish laws that line up with Your law. I will pray for my President and his cabinet, so that he would lead us in the direction You desire for us to go. I know that righteousness exalts a nation; therefore, I will do all that I can to ensure I am doing my part in the process. I will walk upright before You and others and I will be an example of righteousness in my daily affairs. Father, thank You for having blessed America and I pray that You continue to do so. Give us the strength and the courage to get back on track! In Jesus’ name. Amen!