Today’s Scripture Threshings for Saturday, February 23, 2019
Today’s Text: Proverbs 14:31-35
Key Verse: ”Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (vs. 34, ESV)
As Nigeria decides, nothing fills my heart more than the words of this proverbs even while I tarry before the Lord for Nigeria, and all troubled nations of the world, including Israel and America. Today’s text presents us with a rule of only two alternatives, and leaves no room for middle ground. Whether written by Solomon or by Agur, or by King Lemuel of Massa, which his mother taught him; the truth remains that there are two causes any nation may pursue, each having it’s own effect.
It is a call unto all people and nation to weigh themselves, especially in the face of current challenges and terror. It’s an exhortation to desist from actions and inactions that debase us and bring us into contempt and ruin by provoking ill-will of both God and men against us. Unfortunately, rather than humble ourselves to pursue and embrace righteous things that exalt, we despise the twofold caution of this proverbs and try to redefine righteousness and sin in our own terms. We ignore and modify God’s definitions, and we set our own comfortable standards — an indication of reproach and shame.
When a nation is filled with ungodliness, it is marked by the reproach of poverty and penury. Insecurity will thrive. People become arrogant and are blinded from seeing their misery. Is it not a reproach when the church that is supposed to be salt and light does not only deviate from these callings; but itself drifts so far from God that it seems no longer to see any way back. While holy things have been reduced to joking matters, righteousness have been relegated to debatable personal convictions and/or rights.
However, in 2 Chronicles 7:14 God calls us to humble ourselves and pray. We need personal renewal and national repentance. We must be brought down to our knees, and cry for reformation. So that no more shall the holy name of the Lord be defamed among us. This is our urgent need as a nation: we must repent from sin, and return to righteousness. In the this way, true marks of an exalted nation will blossom in our land and days — there will be sanity in leadership, physical well being, material prosperity, moral and spiritual advancement, decrease of selfishness, increase in selflessness, estimation and influence in the committee of nations, and abiding favor of God. These are marks of an exalted nation.
Quote for the Day: “What virtue is to true strength, righteousness is to foundation of life and grace.” (Simon Olatunji)
Prayer: Dear LORD, we repent on behalf of our nation. We humble ourselves before you, and seek your healing and restoration, in Jesus Christ name. Amen.
With all my Love and Prayer,
Simon Wale Olatunji, PhD
The Darling Bishop (DaBishop),
2321 S Belt Line Rd., Suite 144,
Grand Prairie TX 75051 USA
Email: reachingout@hopeforallnations.org
BBMme: E3F988D2
[Today’s Scripture Threshings is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA. Feel free to use it in your family altar and personal quiet times; and to contact us for further enquiry, help and partnership.]
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