Righteousness Exalteth a Nation

Righteousness Exalteth a Nation - Nathele Graham - twotug@embarqmail.com

 

What makes a nation great? Some people might say that military strength is the key to greatness, but that just means there is a large defense budget. Is it humanitarian efforts that make a nation great? That reflects the heart of the people, but that's not greatness. How about how a nation treats Israel? There are blessings from God that result from how Israel is treated, but that doesn't determine greatness. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance" Psalm 33:12. True greatness only comes by how much God is esteemed. If God Almighty is honored by the people then leadership will be required to honor Him too. If the people have turned to wickedness and evil, then the leadership of any nation will sink to the lowest morality. The United States of America is in trouble.

 

The USA was once a great nation. The Pilgrims traveled here to escape religious persecution. Those courageous men and women didn't want the government dictating how to worship God. As more settlers came to the shores of America, colonies were established. Yet, the taxes and control of England was a burden that the Colonists decided to fight. When our Founding Fathers drew up the Constitution they wanted to be sure that the government couldn't dictate what a person was to believe, but they absolutely didn't ban prayer from government meetings, the Ten Commandments from being publically displayed, or ban Christians from having rights to honor God above manmade laws that mock Him. The first item in the Bill of Rights reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances." When a nation denies God, that nation is on a downward path to destruction. "By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth." Psalm 33:6. The first step of a nation's downfall is denying God as the Creator. Evolution is the religion taught in our schools and God is banned. When God is denied then there is no moral guide and perversion runs wild. This amoral way of life is a worldwide happening and will bring worldwide destruction. God's judgment will come soon, not only on the USA, but on every nation that denies Him.

 

You might argue that individual nations don't belong to God. That may well be true, but Christians do and we make up a majority of the population. According to a 2015 Gallup poll, 75.2% of the population claims to be Christian. We belong first to God, then to our individual nation. Christians are being silenced and our rights are being taken away, but we need to make our voices heard and take a stand for Jesus. Laws are being enacted where it's illegal to call a man a man if he decides that he is a woman. That's just insane. Gender isn't a matter of choice. God made man and woman, it isn't optional. Tests can be run on a baby in the womb to determine if that child is male or female, yet kindergarteners are told they can decide if they are a girl or boy. This insanity must stop, but it will only get worse as we draw nearer to Daniel's 70th week.

 

All citizens are subject to the laws enacted by our governments on Earth, but what do we do when those laws contradict God's law? The simple answer is that we obey God. There are many laws in America these days that directly go against God. Government leaders choose to enact laws that violate basic truth. "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." Psalm 127:3, yet abortion is legal and encouraged. Not only does the American government condone abortion, but those little people who are murdered are then sliced up and their tiny body parts are sold. It's a profitable industry, but is fully Satanic. Abortion is a sin that results from other sin. It's no secret how babies are made, so when you chose to have sexual relations you chose to have a child. By God's standards, all sexual relations are to be within a one man/one woman marriage. If a child is conceived in a sinful relationship and then killed, you have committed two sins. Remember that God's love and forgiveness is there for you. If you have had an abortion, performed an abortion, or encouraged someone to have an abortion I urge you to turn to Jesus for forgiveness. If you are truly sorry and ask Him to forgive you, He will. Then, as Jesus told the adulterous woman "... Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." John 8:11b. Turn to Him and let His love heal you and guide you.

 

When ungodly men and women are elected, we cannot expect our nation to be led along a righteous path. In the past few years America has had some very unrighteous leaders, and the choices before us don't look good. We know that there is power behind the government, and it can be evil. Daniel had been fasting and praying for many days when an angel appeared to him. That angel had been sent to Daniel on the first day he prayed, but was delayed by an evil power. "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia." Daniel 10:13. What power lies behind the leadership of America? It seems to be of the same evil as the prince of the kingdom of Persia. If the man or woman who is elected does not honor God Almighty, then America will fall deeper into unrighteousness. Without godly leaders, nations will be led into deep sin and God's judgment will fall. Professing Christians have dropped the ball. Instead of voting for a person who honors God in word and deed we've allowed ungodly leadership. Even many Christians voted for Mr. Obama and he has done his best to destroy this nation. He seems to be succeeding. The final nail in the coffin may have been the legalization of homosexual marriage, and now he's elevating those who follow that agenda to a protected class. They are sinners in need of salvation through Jesus Christ. "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." Proverbs 29:2. America is in need of righteous people in authority.

 

Are we too far gone for God to help us? No, but if we continue to mock God He will send judgment. Nineveh was a barbaric gentile nation, but God saw fit to send Jonah to them with a warning. "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me." Jonah 1:2. Jonah didn't want to go, but when he finally did the entire city turned to God. What if a modern day Jonah went to Washington DC and told of God's pending judgment? Many godly men have tried, but evil is hard to overcome. With God all things are possible, and one day every knee will bow before Jesus. Let's start now. Bow before Him humbly and pray for this nation and our leaders.

 

This isn't the first time in history that wickedness has gripped a nation. Many times the nation of Israel turned from God and they paid the consequences. When Solomon had built the Temple he went before God with sacrifice and prayer. God was pleased with the Temple and chose to dwell there. God told Solomon "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14. This promise was given to the Nation of Israel, but notice He said "which are called by my name". Do you call yourself a Christian? If so, then don't take His name in vain. This is an Old Testament principle, but God's promises are not limited to a particular time. If you call yourself a Christian then you are identifying with Christ. You need to humble yourself and pray. You need to seek His face. You need to turn from your wicked ways. God will hear, but if you refuse to honor Him then judgment will surely come. The Apostle Paul wrote "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye  present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:1-2. Turn from the wickedness that this world has to offer, and turn to God. If Christians turn away from wickedness and honor God with every part of life and humbly pray for forgiveness, then God will forgive and heal. If Christians don't do this then who will? Certainly not the Satan worshipping heathens who erect statues of the Baphomet and demand that the Ten Commandments be removed. Don't be a part of this evil world, but honor God Almighty. 

 

We can only do what we can. I can read my Bible and apply it to my life, but I cannot force you to do the same. I can seek God's guidance as to whom I vote for, but I cannot force you to put God first. We can be sure that if we continue on the course laid out by the path before us, destruction will come. In fact, God tells us through prophecy what signs to look for, and by paying attention to the signs of the time we can be sure it's very close. "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." Psalm 9:17. If you have accepted Christ as your Lord and Saviour then you are not among the wicked who will be turned into hell. On the other hand, if you claim Christ as your Saviour and don't turn from your wicked ways, then perhaps you haven't truly accepted Him. The judgments that will soon manifest themselves are nothing you want to endure. "With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." Isaiah 26:9. Yes, God's wrath will be poured out and in the end those who survive Daniel's 70th week will learn His righteousness. Without Jesus Christ there is no righteousness. For many it will be too late to recognize Him. During the final seven years many will come to know Jesus and be martyred. Some will not be able to withstand the tribulation of that day and will succumb to the evil of the Man of Sin. They will take the mark of the beast and be forever lost. There is only one way to avoid the judgments of that day. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour right now. Not with just a offhand "I believe" but true faith. Turn from your wicked ways and allow Him to be Lord of your life. If you earnestly accept Him then you will be taken Home in the Rapture prior to God's wrath. This is a blessed promise that we need to understand. Until then, share His love with others and when it comes time to vote for those who govern the nation, vote according to God's direction. Any candidate who condones and supports sin is not godly in their ways and will continue along the path of destruction. "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:" Isaiah 55:6. Tomorrow may be too late.

 

Righteousness can only come through Jesus Christ. Turn from sin and wicked ways. "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." Proverbs 14:34. If Christians will honor Him then His righteousness will exalt our nation. God bless you all,

 

God bless you all,   

 

Nathele Graham