Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

In the US we have a saying, “God bless America.”  I love this statement and the heritage that comes with it because it reminds us of the many godly people who came to this country and implored God’s blessings upon it. As a result, our great success as a nation has come from God and His exaltation.

However, today in America many people still say that cherished statement, yet they don’t realize “how” God actually blesses and exalts a nation.  Thus, the above proverb teaches a people “righteousness exalts a nation.”  Meaning, God will only exalt and lift up in success those who do what is “right” by His standards.  On the other hand the proverb also teaches, “sin is a disgrace to any people.”  Therefore, God will never bless what He promised to curse and disgrace.

For example in Proverbs 6:17 King Solomon states the Lord hates, “hands that shed innocent blood.”  Therefore, when America allows by its law the slaughter of unborn children in the womb, over 54 million since 1973, God will not continue to bless us until we repent and abolish this wicked infanticide.

Also, Proverbs 6:17-18, declares God hates, “haughty eyes, a lying tongue… a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil.”  Thus, when we as a nation act in ungodly pride in sports and entertainment, have liars and devisors of wickedness in the White House and on Wall Street, and a possess a generation of young adults who are “quick to rush into evil,”- we shouldn’t expect God’s blessing, but rather disgrace.

In closing, we should hold to this precious promise and do what it demands so we can receive God’s exaltation and blessings in our nation.  And for the sins and evil deeds we’ve done, we should repent now and plead for God’s mercy through the blood of Jesus Christ on all of our leaders and citizens.  Then we can truly say, “God bless our land.”

Reflection

Are you doing your part for God to exalt and bless the nation you live in?

Action

  1. Repent of any sins you may be committing that bring a disgrace on the land.
  2. Pray and repent for the sins of your nation as Daniel did for the Jewish people in Daniel 9:4-19.
  3. Live by God’s grace and Spirit in such a way that God can bless and exalt you and your nation.