Sermon Central
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Welfare Of A Nation Series
Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on May 26, 2020 (message contributor)
Summary: You are a change catylst. COVID-19 brought to a standstill of the economy of the nations. Now, the welfare of your company, your society, your city and your nation is at your hand. Find out by viewing this sermon.
Esther’s prayer changed the law of the land, changed the heart of the ruler, heart of a King who ruled 127 countries stretching from India to Cush (Esther 1:1, 3:15-17).
Daniel’s prayer moved the hands of God, shook the heavenly places to send an appropriate answer to reveal the heavenly plans of God for his people, for the nations and his life journey (Daniel 9:1,3-4, 20-22). The prayer warriors must be righteous too.
3. The welfare of a nation depended on RIGHTEOUS people ( 2 Chronicles 7:14 c)
… And turn from their wicked ways…
When the wicked rise to power men hide; but when they perish, consistently righteous increase and become many (Proverbs 28:28). When the uncompromisingly righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh (Proverbs 29:2). When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases, but uncompromisingly righteous shall see the fall of the wicked (Proverbs 29:16). When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but when a ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge, its stability will long continue (Proverbs 28:2). The people of Israel mocked God’s messengers. Despised his words, scoffed at his prophets (2 Chronicles 36:16). Now, what about your land of blessings – I mean your job, your entrepreneurship, etc., fortunes are depended upon your walk with God, your attitude towards righteousness and justice.
Righteousness exalts the Nation (Proverbs 14:34). Righteous saves the nation from corporate punishment, destruction as God explained to Abraham in the case of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:23, 32) because, the eyes of the Lord is always upon the righteous. He sustains them (Psalm 34:15, Psalm 37:17). Noah (Genesis 6:9), Daniel and Job (Job 1:1,10) are examples of Righteous people (Ezekiel 14:14,20). We also read about Lot as a man of righteousness (Genesis 2 Peter 2:8). The New Testament gives the records of righteous people like Joseph of Nazareth (Matthew 1;19), Joseph of Arimathea (Luke 23:50) and Cornelius (Acts 10:22). They were appreciated for their righteous actions and deeds during their lifetime. Blessed is the nation whose God is YHWH (Psalm 33:12).
Many times people blame their rulers for all their problems, but God puts the responsibility on both rulers and followers. Both are to be righteous and have to deal righteously. Then they can be blessed and prosper. When a nation is disobedient and rebellious, their land is unstable and they have many different rulers. When people are righteous, they will have a righteous ruler - a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge – and will be stable over for the long term. The people of a nation must decide to honour and serve God and then He will be able to bless them and give them godly, consistent leader. Ronald Reagan President (the USA, 1984) said “…A state is nothing more than a reflection of its citizens; the more decent the citizens, the more decent the state. Without God, there is no virtue, because there’s no prompting of the conscience. Without God, there is a coarsening of society. And without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure...” (site:lakewaybaptist.org).