Righteousness Series: Righteousness Exalts a Nation, But Sin, Corruption and Evil Destroy Nations

“Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Proverbs 14:34 NLT

Righteousness and justice are primary themes in the Bible. They are the very foundation of God’s throne. Love and faithfulness goes before Him. Those who know the joyful sound of walking in the light of His presence are blessed (Psalm 89:14-15).

God does not change. The Lord sends His messenger (s) to prepare the way before Him. Then He will come suddenly to His temple, says the Lord Almighty He sends a prophetic voice to convey a message to others. He is preparing the way for His second coming and moving to restore righteousness in the earth. (Malachi 3:1-) To come suddenly does not mean immediately, but instantaneously and unannounced. It usually refers to a calamitous event. 

In the New Testament, John the Baptist was a messenger sent to proclaim the coming of the Lord. 

In our current culture many are proclaiming evil as good, yet the Lord get weary of mankind’s erroneous beliefs. Malachi 2:17 says, “You have wearied the Lord with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”

“But who can endure the day of his coming?” “Who can stand when he appears?” He will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. (Mal. 3:2).

He is like a refiner’s fire that comes to purify our hearts to separate the precious from the vile. A refiner’s fire melts down the bar of silver or gold, separates out the impurities that ruin its value, burns them up, and leaves the silver and gold intact. Throughout the Bible we read of God purifying man’s heart of sin. This is the fire that burns up all the dross, and leaves the pure silver (redeemed). The fire of God takes out all of the evil, so the vessel will be pure.

1 Corinthians 3:13 “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”

2 Timothy 2:20-21 “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.” “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, [and] prepared unto every good work.”

In Malachi 3, the Lord required sacrifices of righteousness by the priest on behalf of the people. Today,  righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance (holding back) He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished,  ^{He did} it to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Rom. 3:21-26).

Isaiah 61:4 say, “They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.”

Righteousness is key to building a peaceful, progressive and thriving nation and happy people. Sin, unrighteousness, oppression, racism, inequality and wickedness bring disaster and woes to nations and peoples. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.” (Prov. 14:34)

“When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.“ (Prov. 29:2)

“There is no business more serious than government.” – Myles Monroe

Government is necessary and has a role in God’s purposes to establish and maintain order. We can see that in Genesis 1:1-2. The earth lacked order so God formed order out of chaos to bring harmony. The lack of government brings disorder and chaos.

“By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down“ (Prov. 29:4).

Although President Trump is not a king he along with the Senate and Congress are the governing authorities of this nation. As leaders of a free nation their actions will either bring stability to this nation or chaos. The constant rants, name calling, discord, ungodly behavior and lack of governance doesn’t help. It stirs up strife among the very people they are responsible for leading.  I don’t think they know, understand nor believe how the lack of proper governance impacts this nation. It seems as if a spirit of pride, confusion, contention, discord, and divisiveness has overtaken them to the extent that the nation is suffering. That doesn’t justify their actions nor the actions of others who follow suit. The State of the Union (SOTU) address was intended to make an effort to do that but it didn’t take long before things to went south.

With government we need strong natural and spiritual leadership more than ever to help stabilize the chaos taking place nationally, statewide and locally. I encourage you to pray daily that God will open their eyes to the truth. Pray for our nation and our leaders.

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

“I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.” — Franklin Roosevelt

Blessings,

Dr. Francine

Note: All Scripture is taken from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.