“RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION…”

Dearly Beloved, “RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION…” “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.... [Therefore] let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream” (Proverbs 14:34; Amos 5:24 NKJV). Nigeria as a nation will celebrate its 57th independence anniversary on October 1, 2017. To mark this and as a result of the prevailing situations in the country, Christian Association of Nigeria (the national body of Christians in the country) has declared the day as a day of prayer for the nation. As I reflected on this declaration, I felt sorry for the body in particular and the nation in general. The nation needs prayers, agreed. However, the people of the nation need re-orientation. Here is a nation and people that are largely divided by Christianity and Islam. Everybody is either a Christian or a Muslim. Even, handful of the citizens openly identifies with traditional religion. Church buildings and mosques are found on almost every street of villages, towns and cities of the country. Almost everybody is a pastor or imam in Nigeria. People are trooping into prayer mountains/camps everyday seeking blessings and miracles. Religion has become the major export of the country to other parts of the world. In spite of these, the moral situation of the country is like that of the people of Judah as described in Isaiah 59 where the hands of the people were defiled with blood of innocent people; their fingers were tainted with iniquity; their lips spoke lies; no one called for justice, nor does anyone pleaded for truth; they trusted in empty words; their works were works of iniquity, and the act of violence was in their hands; their feet ran to evil; their thoughts were thoughts of iniquity; justice and righteousness were far from them; they spoke and acted in oppression and revolt; and they conceived and uttered words of falsehood from the heart (see Isaiah 59:3-13). In fact, “Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. So truth fails, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey” (verses 14-15 NKJV). The so-called religious leaders are not helping matters as most of them are like the shepherds in the days of Ezekiel who fed themselves instead of feeding the flock (see Ezekiel 34:1-10). No wonder, Isaiah earlier said that the people had been separated from God by these sins, and these sins had hidden the face of God from the people. Is this not the true picture of Nigeria and its people? It is good to be religious as many Nigerians are today. But it is far better to be godly and righteous. It is good to cry out to God in prayers for the prevailing situations of Nigeria, or any other country or person. But it is far better to live holy and righteous life. For God to hear and answer our prayers, we must be ready to yield to the advice of another prophet, Amos: “But let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream” (Amos 5:24 NKJV). God categorically told King Solomon: “If My people who are called by My name will HUMBLE THEMSELVES, and pray and seek My face, and TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV emphasis added). Righteousness indeed exalts a nation and its people. I wish Nigeria and Nigerians Happy Independence Day! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will not only be religious, but godly and righteous.