Righteousness Exalts a Nation
Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Pure and simple, righteousness exalts a nation. That means if a nation is to be great, its people must walk righteously, which means walking in the righteousness of Jesus. This includes allowing our hearts to be convicted when Holy Spirit is convicting us. We can grieve Him, and our hearts can become cold and indifferent. It’s the path to a seared conscience. This also involves repentance, in which we change our heart, thought process, and direction.
No political system will elevate a nation in itself. Of course, it may reflect the heart of its citizens, especially when they have a say in who governs them. Naturally, it does not necessarily represent the entirety of its population. That will vary in percentage. That being said, it might be a good idea to ask the Lord for His wisdom when it comes to voting, if you have that right. Is it a good idea to vote for those whose policies are not in alignment with God? When reading the Bible, what do you find about just and unjust leaders? They definitely had profound effects on their nations.
Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance.
Sin is a Reproach to Any People
Juxtaposed to the results of righteousness is the consequences of sin. A sinful nation suffers greatly. When Israel continued to sin against God, He eventually brought judgment to the nation. He was very patient and longsuffering in calling them to repentance. Finally, He dispersed the people amongst the nations of the world as a consequence of their idolatry, and the nation no longer existed. The physical land that once flourished, became desolate. However, true to His promise and nature, the Lord gathered His people back into the land. Once again it became the nation of Israel. This truth points out the reliability of the Bible. Very few people thought this would ever happen, especially since Israel did not exist for centuries.
The conditions of a nation are very much linked to the spiritual realm. It’s not so much the result of physical activities. For example, some try to implement policies to curb “global warming,” to include what kind of vehicles people drive. First, mankind will not destroy the earth. It would be arrogant to think it’s in our power. To be sure, we should be good stewards of what God has given us; however, the Bible reveals how the earth comes to an end. In fact, it gives the true definition of global warming.
2 Peter 3:13 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
By the way, God made provision for the CO2 as the result of fossil fuel usage. How so? CO2 is plant food. Plants convert CO2 to oxygen. Not to get lost in those weeds, but it is good to underscore God is greater than anything man can do.
All rebellion will be put to an end forever! God is shaking the earth, and calling people to repentance. People mock the disciples of Jesus Christ, and the Word of God (see 2 Peter 3:3-9). Ultimately, they are mocking God, Himself. This too, will end. In the meantime, He is patient.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:14-18 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (NASB).
