Thought for the Day

In this verse, Proverbs points out that corporate righteousness exalts a nation, while corporate sin brings reproach. Every blessing comes directly or indirectly from God's grace. It grieves the heart of God, that instead of being grateful for all the blessings God has bestowed upon mankind, many blame Him for the problems in the world. They do not understand that sin has created the problems.

Keeping God's Word brings blessing. Some nations, though they follow false religions, are blessed in some aspects of their society because they practice scriptural principles. Many people do not realize what tremendous things Christianity has accomplished for the betterment of our lives, especially here in the United States. Many here enjoy a good life with abundance, not realizing that they owe our prosperity and freedom to a book that many are taught to despise - the Bible. Many of our founding fathers were godly men who used Biblical principles to construct the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Any unbiased historian knows that the Bible has had a much greater influence in the shaping of our nation than what is currently being taught in our schools.

When the Bible's influence is strong, it affects a culture in positive ways. When a society rejects Biblical principles, evil will be reflected in its cultural choices. We see this today worldwide, as both young and old people are embracing things that are unbiblical. Choice of dress, food, music, and entertainment are all reflections of how we embrace or reject God's Word. Rebellious, anti-Christian music, for example, has become firmly established in society, despite its dangerous influences of encouraging lust, sexual promiscuity, suicide, rebellion against authority, and so forth.

We must repent and return to righteousness so that our nations will be exalted. Sin brings reproach to us–individually and corporately. "God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth" (Psalm 67:1-5).