What Makes A Nation Great
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Prov. 14:34)
In 1980, presidential hopeful Ronald Reagan and his team used the slogan, “Let’s Make America Great Again.” The slogan resonated with the American people and Mr. Reagan became President Reagan by an electoral vote of 489-49. The Clintons even utilized the slogan for President Clinton’s 1992 campaign and again for Hillary’s 2008 presidential primary campaign. And of course, President Donald Trump has utilized the slogan before and after his election to office.
It’s an idea that’s easy for Americans to buy in to – we all want to see our nation succeed and do well. But how do you really measure a nation’s greatness? Is it by its expansive roads and infrastructure? It is by its world-class military? Is it by its record-breaking economy? According to the Scripture, a nation can have all those things and still not be great in the sight of God. The Lord doesn’t measure greatness by riches. Rather, He measures a nation’s greatness by righteousness.
“Righteousness exalts a nation” – just look what holiness did for Israel as it has pursued the Lord. Look back and consider how God has blessed the United States on those occasions when we have magnified the name of Jesus. “But sin is a reproach to any people” – rampant sin has wreaked havoc on Israel, America, and every other nation that has forgotten the Lord. As a nation we have a choice to make – either we can submit to God and be exalted, or we can reject Him and be disgraced.
In 1980, presidential hopeful Ronald Reagan and his team used the slogan, “Let’s Make America Great Again.” The slogan resonated with the American people and Mr. Reagan became President Reagan by an electoral vote of 489-49. The Clintons even utilized the slogan for President Clinton’s 1992 campaign and again for Hillary’s 2008 presidential primary campaign. And of course, President Donald Trump has utilized the slogan before and after his election to office.
It’s an idea that’s easy for Americans to buy in to – we all want to see our nation succeed and do well. But how do you really measure a nation’s greatness? Is it by its expansive roads and infrastructure? It is by its world-class military? Is it by its record-breaking economy? According to the Scripture, a nation can have all those things and still not be great in the sight of God. The Lord doesn’t measure greatness by riches. Rather, He measures a nation’s greatness by righteousness.
“Righteousness exalts a nation” – just look what holiness did for Israel as it has pursued the Lord. Look back and consider how God has blessed the United States on those occasions when we have magnified the name of Jesus. “But sin is a reproach to any people” – rampant sin has wreaked havoc on Israel, America, and every other nation that has forgotten the Lord. As a nation we have a choice to make – either we can submit to God and be exalted, or we can reject Him and be disgraced.
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