FLOURISH IN RIGHTEOUSNESS

“RIGHTEOUSNESS exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” – Proverbs 14:34

God wants His people and our nations to FLOURISH in RIGHTEOUSNESS: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Pro.14:34). He is not a respecter of persons, but honours His Word and blesses those who believe and diligently obey. With the national elections commencing today across the length and breadth of Nigeria, it is apt to meditate on what it means for a nation and its people to flourish in righteousness. Let us consider these passages which highlight God's desire for the nations, peoples, and cities of earth:

• “When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed” (Pro.11:10-11 NIV).

• “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people” (Pro.14:34, NIV).

• “When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding” (Pro.28:12 NIV).

• “Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people” (Pro.28:15 NIV)

• “When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when they perish, the righteous thrive” (Pro.28:28 NIV).

• “If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked” (Pro.29:12 NIV)

In summary: GOD WANTS RIGHTEOUSNESS in the nations of the earth! Therefore, let us pray for our nation that:

• The righteous will prosper, the wicked will perish, and our cities shall rejoice with shouts of joy.

• The Lord will raise and position the upright in power and cut off the destructive mouth of the wicked.

• Righteousness will exalt our nation; sin shall not bring condemnation, disgrace or reproach to us.

• The righteous shall triumph and thrive and there shall be great elation; the wicked shall never rise to power.

• The story of wicked men ruling over a helpless people shall never again be the story of my nation.

To be righteous means to meet a standard of behavior. The Bible’s standard is God’s own perfection in attribute, attitude, behavior, and word. The best of human righteousness is like a filthy rag before God (Isa.64:6a). Perfect righteousness is obviously beyond sinful, fallen, broken humanity; it is only possible through the cleansing of sin by Jesus Christ and the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. But Christians possess Christ’s righteousness (2 Cor 5:21). National Righteousness however differs from personal righteousness.

God measures the greatness of nations in a different way than human beings do: righteousness is His measurement of greatness! The greatness of a nation comes through righteousness; no nation that embraces sin can truly thrive. In the Book of Proverbs, the opposite of the righteous are the wicked. The righteous are God-centered; the wicked are self-centered. The righteous revere God, His Will and Ways; the wicked despise God and His Word. The righteous act equitably, fairly, and justly towards other human beings; the wicked take advantage of people and situations. The righteous exalt and trust in God; the wicked exalt and trust in self, wealth or power. The righteous strive to obey God's laws while the wicked break His law without remorse, shame, or feelings of guilt.

No slogan – to “Make Nigeria Great Again,” to ascend to the “Next Level” or to “Take it back” – can guarantee a nation’s greatness. There is no human Messiah apart from Jesus Christ, the “Governor among the nations” (Psa.22:28). Although no earthly ruler can fully measure up to God’s standards of righteousness, yet, leaders do matter, and character does matter – especially in a leader! A nation cannot go unaffected when its leaders are godless and immoral. The leader’s character greatly impacts a nation for better or for worse. His or her values will determine those who are selected as ambassadors, advisers, judges, ministers, and commissioners. These, in turn, will greatly influence policies and programmes that affect the entire nation. “O Lord, give us leaders after your heart, to effectively, honestly, and wisely plan, invest and maximize the resources that You have bestowed upon our nation!”