Thought for the Day

Wickedness produces many problems in a society; including rivalry amongst leaders. However, when a wise man rules a nation, it will produce stability. Dissatisfied people expect their leaders to create change, but all needed change begins with individuals. Every person is responsible for contributing to the betterment of our world. Evil people desire leaders who condone their wickedness. Righteous people desire leaders who control society's evil tendencies by making and enforcing righteous laws. Because the founding fathers of the United States were Christian, our laws were traditionally based on the Bible; and this influence has blessed our national life. We have turned away from this godly foundation, however, and God has begun to lift His blessings and protection from our nation. If we do not repent, we could fall as ancient Judah did:

"For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory. The show of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves. Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths" (Isaiah 3:8-12).

Sin, especially the sin of Sodom, brought Judah under a curse. For centuries, God had warned them that judgment would come if they did not repent. In Isaiah's time, the citizens of Judah, like those of Sodom, had grown brazenly open about their sin. About 150 to 200 years after Isaiah prophesied it, Israel reaped a terrible judgment: Jerusalem was destroyed and survivors taken into captivity in Babylon. God rewarded the wicked with the fruit of their sin, while rewarding the righteous with protection amidst national catastrophe. Judah endured many evils as warnings before reaping God's terrible judgment. We notice some of them in verse 12: it was unrighteous leaders who were causing the people to err from the paths of righteousness. Isaiah 3:4-5 lists others: wicked or immature rulers, young people dishonoring their elders, and the foolish behaving arrogantly toward the honorable. Similar evils, along with natural catastrophes, are seen across the world today, and are indications of judgment. Judgment can be averted if our nations will seek Him and forsake their sins. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD" (Psalm 33:12a).