April 25 | Exalting a Nation
Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”
Solomon was the third King of Israel after his father David died. King Solomon had learned first hand the disgrace that came to Israel because of his father’s sin (2 Samuel 12:11). Sadly, this didn’t stop him from making some of the same mistakes David made. Even though Solomon was the richest and wisest man on earth, he was led astray by women to worship idols and likewise brought shame to the nation of Israel. The Bible records in 1 Kings 11:4, “As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.”
It seems that Solomon was even worse than David because there is no mention of his repentance. Even after David’s many sins, including murder and adultery, he truly repented in Psalm 51. However, there is no such record of Solomon’s repentance. In other words, King Solomon, the one who God used to write the book of Proverbs and give us today’s wisdom, could be in hell. No king or nation, despite it’s size or power can withstand the judgment of God.
Likewise, after Solomon sinned and brought disgrace to Israel, most of the following kings grew progressively worse. When God’s patience turned to judgment, He punished both the kings and the entire nation Israel by allowing them to be captured and brought into captivity on two different occasions.
In America’s brief two hundred year history it can be seen that when we as a nation had special times of prayer, honored the Ten Commandments in our courts and sought God’s will in major decisions; God exalted and blessed us. However, in the last 50 years as we have taken the Bible and prayer out of school, pulled down the Ten Commandments in our courts and placed wickedness above God and His Word in our culture; we’ve suffered more disgrace than our founding fathers could have ever imagined.
Therefore, reader, be warned, no matter who you are or where you live; if you and your nation sin you will be disgraced and brought low. However, if you and your nation live righteously before God, He will exalt you and your people. Patrick Henry said, “Righteousness alone can exalt [America] as a nation…Whoever thou art, remember this; and in thy sphere practice virtue thyself, and encourage it in others.”
Reflection
Action
- Repent of any unrighteousness you may have.
- Repent for all the wickedness you see in your nation.
- Pray for God to raise up more righteous people in your nation.