Reflections

¹⁰When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
         And when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting.
¹¹By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
         But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down. Proverbs 11:10-11

There are many who are not pleased with the direction of this country.  Polls show that most Americans are disappointed with their elected officials and the President.  Congress has the lowest rating, and just about half the country approves what the President is doing.  People blame the problems of the country on the government and believe by electing new people the country would be in better shape.

The bible teaches that it is the righteous that exalt a nation.  If a nation or our cities are suffering then we have to look to ourselves.  The above Proverb states that when the righteous are doing well and being blessed the city rejoices and is exalted.  So when we are blessed the places we live will be blessed.

God expects the righteous to walk in His ways and to live Holy lives set apart from God.  The righteous will cause a city to excel, rejoice, and be exalted.  So when we see our nation suffering and our communities in trouble then we need to look and examine ourselves.  Are we doing all God has called us to do?  Are we walking by faith and not by sight?  Do our lives reflect the world or do they reflect Christ?

God intends for the righteous to be a city on a hill whose light shines and points the lost to the Lord.  We are to be a blessing and not a curse.  We are to represent heaven on earth and not simply be a reflection of the world we live in.  For when it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices.