“He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy. The wicked is banished in his wickedness, But the righteous has a refuge in his death. Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known. Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:31-34, NKJV) [Read Proverbs 14]Proverbs 14 has 35 wisdom statements that deal with the subject of righteousness and judgment in many areas of human behavior. Verses 31-34 deal with applying wisdom and living righteously in community. An often-quoted verse is Proverbs 14:34. I repeat it here using the Amplified Bible: “Uprightness and right standing with God [moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation] elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” This verse corroborates the declaration in Psalm 33:12: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance” [KJV]. In combination with II Chronicles 7:14, these verses all teach us how citizens in a nation or a government entity (community, county, city, state, nation) should conduct themselves to be righteous and pleasing in God’s sight: “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (KJV). When it seems that America’s moral fiber is breaking apart and we grow farther away from the principles on which our nation was founded, we should feel ashamed of the sins that are bringing reproach on our land. Righteous living begins in the heart of individual citizens, one by one. We may still have time to turn and seek God’s face so that the promise of Proverbs 14:34 can become a reality: “Righteousness exalts a nation.”
Wisdom and righteousness are to be applied in caring for the poor among us. The less fortunate may have become so through their own slothfulness, or their poverty may be due to circumstances over which they had little or no control. We are to show love and compassion for them, and build into our citizenship and social services programs ways of caring for them in a manner that will help them to help themselves. This takes thoughtful and deliberate policies that are fair and compassionate. In whatever area of life we seek to find answers, whether private or public, this proverb will bear following: “Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of him that has understanding” (Prov. 14:33a). Citizenship is not political maneuvering. It is accepting the blessings of God derived from living in a free society. If we take God out of our nation and fail to heed His teachings, how can He continue to bless us? “Pay Day Some Day” is a given. Wisdom is available to those who desire to get back on track with God.
c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Monday, July 12, 2010
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