Mission Venture Ministries

When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. Proverbs 29:2 

This verse makes it very clear that the character of the individuals in authority affects everyone under their authority. People lament when a nation is ruled by those who are wicked; and rejoice under the authority of a righteous ruler. 

God gives us His laws for our own good. He created us to fellowship with Him and to walk in righteousness; but, when a nation turns away from the true God and becomes its own god, the Lord removes His protective hand and allows that nation to experience the consequences it has demanded. Romans 1:18-32 shows us the progression of people and nations that have defied God and redefined morality. Homosexuality, unrestrained lust, murder and idolatry are all part of God’s judgment on a nation that has turned away from Him. 

When Pharaoh ruled over God’s people in Egypt, the Hebrew’s lives were made bitter with hard bondage (Exodus 1:8-14). Their days were filled with sorrow and affliction (Exodus 3:7). In contrast, when Solomon ruled over the people of God in Jerusalem, there was great rejoicing (1 Kings 1:40; 1 Kings 5:7). 

As long as the Israelites honored the Lord and kept His commandments, the Lord was actively involved in their defense when other nations fought against them. The first example of the Lord as Defender was seen as Moses led the people out of Egypt, when Pharaoh changed his mind and his armies raced after them. The people were terrified and began to doubt; but Moses answered the people and said, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:13-14). And we know that what followed was the miraculous parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22). 

In contrast beginning in 2 Kings Chapter 24, we see the ending of blessings by God on Israel. God’s chosen people had defied the Lord, built idol temples, and filled their lives with fornication, murder, and adultery. They had desecrated the temple and ignored the Law for generations. God sent prophets to call them to repentance, but they would not listen and often killed those who brought them truth and a call to repentance before it was too late.  

The Lord warned them repeatedly, but when they refused to listen, He sent judgment in the form of invaders who took the Israelites captive and destroyed their cities (2 Kings 24:12-14); and the once-great nation was ransacked by the Babylonians and ten thousand taken captive. God’s judgment took place because of their disobedience. 

Galatians 6:7 is God’s warning to individuals and to nations. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” 

Because of their disobedience many nations ceased to exist, having brought God’s judgment upon themselves for their sin and defiance. Edom (Jeremiah 49:17-22), Assyria (Zephaniah 2:13-15), Sodom (Genesis 19:24-25), and Babylon (Jeremiah 51:61-64) were all wiped out, according to the biblical prophets, for their evil done before the Lord. And there remain no representatives of the Hittites (Exodus 23:23), Moabites (Zephaniah 2:8-10), or Philistines (Zephaniah 2:5) due to their determined rebellion against the Lord. 

It is time for all nations to mourn and repent, for wicked men are ruling and turning God’s laws upside down. How can God’s saints rejoice, when they see justice, righteousness, truth, and wisdom compromised and corrupted on a daily basis?

We can however intercede for our nation with prayers and intercession for all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. The good news being that God knows those who are His and promises to reward them, even when all others have turned away. 

Malachi 3:13-18 contains one of the most comforting passages in the Old Testament. It reminds us that God is watching, He knows all, and He will judge righteously. Even when a nation turns away from God, individuals within that nation can still follow Him and know that their names are written in God’s book of remembrance. 

Most sinful, rebellious people will not repent until they experience pain and loss; that can result in conviction of sins and can bring repentance and cleansing from sin. 

For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish (Psalm 1:6). 

For evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land. Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more; and you will look carefully for his place and he will not be there (Psalm 37:9-10). 

Remember what the Lord says: “There is no peace for the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22, Isaiah 57:21). 

And lastly, Woe to the wicked! It will go badly with him, for what he deserves will be done to him (Isaiah 3:11). However, because the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face (Psalm 11:7). 

Amen! Praise the Lord!

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