Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. - Proverbs 14:34
I was praying about what to share with you and this one verse that I read this morning in Proverbs stood out. Solomon’s proverbial statements are deep wells of wisdom. They are masterful one-liners that undoubtedly sizzle on the surface. But if you sit and reflect for a while on the meaning, things only get better as the aroma of savory self-evident truth is released, wafting into your soul. To be honest, I hesitate to even dive into this verse. I mean, there is so much one could say. And sometimes the saying of such things can be misconstrued or misunderstood.
Our very own nation is being overhauled right before our eyes. Setting all political leanings aside, I surmise that most of us would agree that the governmental establishment we have and the bureaucracy we have become has been in need of a makeover for quite some time. Many of us might say that some sort of real change is long overdue. There has been a significant loss of trust in the authority figures that have lead the country for many years and there has been a rapid erosion in the credibility of national institutions in general. From education, to healthcare, to the justice system, insurance companies, mass media, entertainment, corporations, transportation, economic powers, social services, commerce, technology giants, etc, all of them at times appear to be in it far more for their own profits than for the benefit of the American people. I would guess that the average American has been greatly agitated with one or more of these institutions and has hoped for some time for some alteration to come that would shift the narrative. And it looks like that time has now arrived. Will it be for the better?
There is a lot that could be mentioned here in this post about what is happening. Questions swirl about how this all could be related to Project 2025? How can one tech billionaire who is a private citizen somehow assume control of departments and the data of millions overnight? How will other countries respond? Will this usher in a Golden Age, an utter collapse, or is this a “nothing to see here” type moment and things will simply die down eventually and resume their normal pace of brisk social decline? I’m sure there are answers to these questions and any other query brimming in your mind. You might be asking yourself whether or not we are just a few moves away from the fulfillment of certain prophecies. You may be wondering if the following quote is at all applicable:
We are living in the time of the end. The fast-fulfilling signs of
the times declare that the coming of Christ is near at hand. The days
in which we live are solemn and important. The Spirit of God is
gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and
judgments are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God.
The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the
alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of
the greatest magnitude.
The agencies of evil are combining their forces and consolidating.
They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are
soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be
rapid ones.
The condition of things in the world shows that troublous times
are right upon us. (Testimonies for the Church, Volume 9, p. 11)
If this makes you fearful and afraid in any way that makes sense…you are a certified human. Before I go on though, let me remind us (you and myself) that the Lord God Almighty is bigger and infinitely greater than congress, the senate, judges, presidents, prime ministers, wealthy entrepreneurs, tech bros, and the movers of shakers of this world. They will ALL bow the knee before Jesus Christ one day soon (Philippians 2:9-11). And so too will all humanity for that matter.
But here is something to consider. Do you see how quickly things are changing? How fast and how sudden? All of this by mere men who hope to restore the glory of the nation; a hope I share, a hope you share. But it is not political devisings or the shutting down of government agencies or the hirings and firings of individuals that will bring about such a thing. As it has been since the Fall of Man, our greatest problem is ourselves. This is not to trivialize what is happening, but the real concern is the sinner in the mirror. What is needed most is not the reformation of policies and processes, but of the collective human soul. Only the righteousness of Christ can raise up a nation. And while some believe that this dawning of a new age is going to be Christianity’s finest moment, the Revelation might beg to differ. Our role as followers and lovers of Jesus right now is not to cower, to debate, to argue, to wear political badges or to glue our eyes to glowing screens passively watching history unfold. It is our privilege to work with the Holy Spirit to let the reformation of God begin in us. Swiftly, effectively. And when our hearts are right before Him, then we may lift up more fully the Savior to those who are in our sphere of influence who are trying to make meaning out of the mess.
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The short preaching series on Righteousness by Faith will continue this Sabbath as Eric Manro prepares to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Let us turn our eyes up Jesus, that we may rightly see this world through the lens of His life and sacrifice.