Reading the Word

Proverbs 14:34 (ESV)
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

Understanding and Applying the Word

Righteousness, or doing what is right, is always important. We often think of doing what is right in our own personal lives, but how often do we think of this collectively, as a society? It is to our advantage as a nation to submit ourselves to God’s word. This applies to how we deal with our own people and how we deal with people from other countries. God’s ways are the best ways because they are the right ways. To follow our own ways, which is sin, is always to our disadvantage.

God’s word stresses that we are to love our neighbors and do to others as we would have them do to us. We are to strive for justice and peace. We are to look out for those who are in need and vulnerable. We are to be people of integrity who keep their word. We are to be fair and honest. These are the values that we should strive for as a nation. Let us pray for our leaders that they would seek the same.

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