Can justice bless a nation?


Proverbs 24:24-25--Once again, justice plays a major role in this chapter of Proverbs. It's clear that justice affects not only the perpetrator of a crime and their victims, but it can also affect a nation.

A corrupt system destroys reputations and lives, not just the victims. Verse 24 says NATIONS will revile the judge who has now become a criminal as well.

That means other leaders from other countries know we are vulnerable and view us as weak--a country that doesn't protect its own citizens.


There's also a trust issue. Allies will no longer view us as trustworthy and that can have serious repercussions for a whole nation.

Ours is a great country in so many ways. We've weathered many controversies and poor judgments.

We've been blessed and have blessed others. Which is why so many other people from other countries want to live here.

We're watched carefully and critically by others. We are called to a higher standard by our own citizens, as well as other nations.

When we operate in justice and convict those who break the law, there's a blessing. When we don't, there's a curse. It's amazing how complicated something so simple is. Which is why GOD commands us to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

Sometimes I wonder if the energy we vent in complaining about our country was invested into prayer, powerful change could happen. Action vs. complaining will always result in breakthrough--one way or another.

May we pray for GOD's justice to prevail, my friends.

Proverbs 24:24-25--Whoever tells the guilty, “You are innocent,” people curse him and nations revile him. But for those who convict the guilty there will be delight—good blessing will come upon them. Tree of Life Bible Society Tree of Life Version - TLV #tlvbible #tlvproverbs

[WATCH MONDAY through FRIDAY LIVE at 8:30EST, Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie dig a little deeper with the book of Proverbs. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

WISDOM'S JOURNEY: Are you being diverted? Proverbs 4:27

Image
Are you being diverted? TODAY'S PROVERB: Do not turn to the right or to the left. Divert your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:27 I love flying at night. It's a vivid perspective of just how small we really are. Looking at the expanse of the sky with its stars is peaceful, stable. Gazing below at the man-made lights that glow with seemingly brighter intensity. But, that glow is temperamental. Subject to the frailties of humanity and technology, and believe it or not, dependent upon the grace of God. This verse reminds me that until we rise above our humanity, we'll be diverted from the bigness of the Creator of the Universe. It seems our world offers a plethora of distractions. They don't have to be evil, they simply have to be distractions that lead to diverting us from God's calling and purpose in our life. Like the bright city lights, they can drown out the still, small pinpricks of true light from the stars. Until we rise above. What are some of the distract...
Read more

WISDOM'S JOURNEY: Are you a voice for God's covenant? Proverbs 2:16-17

Image
Are you a voice for God's covenant? TODAY'S PROVERB: ...to deliver you from a seducing woman—a wayward wife with seductive words, who forsakes the partner of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God. Proverbs 2:16-17 Infidelity. The last few generations tend to think infidelity was something they created. For certain they have developed it into an art form using film, music, literature, and now, social media. Throughout Scrip ture and history, women have played as much of a role in this sin as men. Honestly, as women, we should know better. These days, women tend to look at fornication and adultery as their rights -- their choice. We can justify and defend all we want, but the truth is that it all boils down to this: our choice is whether we sin or don't sin. Not a popular thing to say. There's nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Humanity has been sinning since the Garden. And infidelity has the same patterns and outcomes as it did thousands of y...
Read more

WISDOM'S JOURNEY: Are you lame or reliable? Proverbs 25:19

Image
Are you lame or reliable? TODAY'S PROVERB: Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is confidence in the unfaithful in time of trouble. Proverbs 25:19 I have a "trick" ankle. There appears to be no rhyme or reason when it decides to give out. I'll take a step and it's like the bones turn to rubber. A misstep on stairs or a ladder or while carrying something can be treacherous. If I knew what caused the weakness then I could avoid  placing demands on it. But, alas, I don't know, so I can never fully trust it. Today's proverb counsels us about "trick ankle" people. Do you have people like this in your life? For the most part, they are reliable, but at unpredictable -- and inevitably important moments -- they are not reliable. Even when we forgive them for these events, we're still unsure if we can depend on them. It leaves a small residue on our ability to trust them completely -- at least for a season. My ankle is a vivid reminder of the import...
Read more