Proverbs 14:34, Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
By Ray Stedman, 1971
“I have never forgotten something I learned years ago when in Hawaii. It is recorded in the motto of that fiftieth state. This motto is a result of the work of the early Christian missionaries who came from New England in the 19th century. It is: Ua mau ke ea o ka aina ika pono, which I am sure you understand means, “The life of the land is preserved by righteousness.”
And you and I are making a great mistake if, as Americans, we think that this country is being held together by the Constitution of the United States or by the Declaration of Independence. Thank God for those documents, but they have no power to hold us together as a people, to preserve our national liberties or our national life.
The life of this land, like that of any other land, is preserved by righteousness.
That means obedience.
That means a recognition of his healing power, and of the fact forgiveness is available for all the injuries and mistakes and wrong doings of our past.
That means a change of mind, repentance, turning again to God and recognizing his presence in our midst. That is what keeps a nation strong.
If our country forgets that, it will lose its ability to stand as a nation among the other nations of the world.
From the SSB men’s Thursday study of Zephaniah:
1:14, The great day of the Lord is near
1:4, I will stretch out My hand against Judah, and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
I would suggest the same applies to the USA! A warning.
Consider the issues God had with a nation He had previously blessed:
vv 4-7 Pagan and insipid religion
- Baal – completely false – science as a god! people as gods!
- stars worshipped – nature worshipped – evolution worshipped
- Christianity mixed with paganism – “Jesus AND…,” Jesus is not enough!
God was angered by the religion of Jerusalem and Judah (1:4a). Their religion was anything but glorifying or compliant to Him. So…
1:7, Be silent in the presence of the Lord God; For the day of the Lord is at hand, For the Lord has prepared a sacrifice; He has invited His guests.
God had invited the Chaldeans to watch His judgment on these people.
God also noted and was angered by:
v. 8, dirty, greedy and extravagant politicians/princes – the swamp
v. 9, economic robbery – crony capitalism – use of laws so to legally take/rob
vv. 10-11, dirty business practices – trade practices, merchants and ESG bankers
vv. 12-13, indifference, thinking God is indifferent or distant – they to be left destitute
SO?
v. 14, Buckle up or REPENT!
The answer for the United States is not the ballot box, nor politics, nor policies!
The answer is turning to Jesus in repentance, confession, submission and commitment.
He makes righteous and righteousness exalts a nation!
So – VOTE, pray and pursue God passionately!
a PK Musing 
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