Daily Devotional

-July 3, 2021-

Good morning, happy Saturday,

-Righteousness Exalts, Sin Reproaches-

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”

(Proverbs 14:34).

Our nation, America, the U.S.A., is about to celebrate its 245th birthday tomorrow. Our republic and our constitutionally formed government of the people, by the people, and for the people has survived and thrived for all this time. America is far from perfect, and we have strayed from God for many years, there is hope that she will repent and come back to the Lord.

We have so many freedoms, so many opportunities, and so many blessings to thank God for. As Christians we have the freedom to assemble, to express our views, to pray, read the Bible, among so many more. We as a country were formed and united as one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Solomon, the writer of today’s verse tells us two incontrovertible truths: “righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people.” In a real sense that is a microcosm of Solomon’s own life: when he honored and obeyed God, God exalted him and blessed him. He was the wisest king ever. However, when he married so many foreign women, they influenced him to worship idols and his spiritual life with God crumbled. Leaders are examples either for the good or the bad.

• Righteousness exalts a nation – Down through this past 245 years, when America has pursued righteousness, she has been greatly blessed. Of all the countries in the world, America along with Israel, has been so favored. Unfortunately, there are those in our country who have chosen a path of secularism, humanism over God and His righteousness. Oh how we need to pray for our country. Thank God for all the Christians and Bible believing churches that we still have in America. The devil is fighting non-stop to bring America down, we must lift America up, up to God and righteousness.

• Sin is a reproach to any people – This is exactly what happened to Israel and it is happening to us. The further we have gone from God, the more sin we see around us today. There is crime, corruption, exploitation of vulnerable people, injustice, violence, division, and a general disregard for our elders, leaders, and morals. Sin is destroying us from the inside out. Psalm 11:3 says, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

May the Lord help us to stand for Him, His righteousness, and His truth no matter what may happen. We need to thank God for our country and pray for our country. 2 Chronicles 7:14 is our only solution, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Revival starts with God’s people then it will spread far and wide.

Have a blessed day reflecting on America past and present, thanking God for all His blessings and living for Him and serving Him. God bless the U.S.A. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean

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