When we pray ‘Righteousness exalts a nation’, what does it mean?

 

Proverbs 14:34 is one verse we often use to pray for the nation. However, it will be helpful to understand the context and the verse to pray meaningfully. And let it be with understanding that we pray…

The immediate context is Proverbs 14:28-35 from which the verse is taken. There is a literary device called the ‘inclusio’ found here. V28 opens with the king’s glory and V35 ends with the king’s favor. So this passage can be scoped in how the king should govern. And since within the verses, the wicked and righteous are mentioned, the scope can also include the kind of people we need in this kingdom. And it may also be good to note also that there are ‘contrasts’ used in each verse by the word ‘But’.

This passage begins with the king’s glory when there are multitude that he governs versus his ruin when there is absence of people (v28). And how he governs is mentioned too: Being slow to anger versus quick-tempered (v29), having a tranquil heart versus passion (v30), whether he oppresses the poor (which equates to taunting God) versus being gracious to the needy (v31).

The passage continues to state that wickedness and evil doings by evil people will be judged but the righteous will have a refuge (v32). And one needs to be wise with understanding rather than being fools (v33). And here comes the verse we often pray: “Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace to any people” (v34). Contextualizing it, the verse is talking about the kind of people that will exalt or make great the nation. It is righteous people living and inhabiting the nation that exalt or make the nation great. Sin and wickedness in people cause disgrace.

And the passage ends with the king’s treatment of the servant who is either wise or foolish (v35)

So when I pray this verse, I pray for our government leaders to govern in righteous and wise ways. I pray that they will not oppress the poor and will be gracious to the needy. I pray that they will have understanding. I pray that they will value the wise and be God’s judgement against the wicked and evil doers.

And I also pray for the governed, which is us, that we will be righteous and live righteously, adding to the nation who is called to be righteous.

So in praying this verse in its context, I am asking God for righteous governing and also a righteous people. With this understanding, let’s remember our nation in prayer.

When less is more (Part 1): Authentic relationships

This Heightened alert is ending in thirteen days. From 22 July to 18 August, it seems that this time round, it is worse and more challenging for some of us. It could probably because of the emotional and mental anticipation of what is next and when it is ending. This does not help as it seemed that we are repeating a cycle of tightening and loosening (there was a phase 2HA, then a phase 3, then back to a phase 2HA). But while we are waiting for news to be announced for the next phase, maybe it is good to pause to process again.

Image by Joseph V M from Pixabay

Again, we were in a situation whereby mass gathering is difficult. We can’t even have more than 5 visitors in the house. I can’t even have my parents and my brother’s family gathered. We can’ t have lunch fellowship as a congregation after church service. We can’t have onsite seminar whereby face to face is preferred. We can’t stay back to ‘jam’ or hang around longer after worship service ends. We cannot do a lot of things that we used to do, especially when it comes to the restriction of the number of people per group.

But there are things that we can do in this period within that constraint. Or perhaps, this is a ‘forced’ period that was given to us to help me build certain discipline or practice. The taking away of certain ‘activities’ of church or our routine which resulted in less now become more. This is when ‘less is actually more’. For example, when we have church lunches (big group), often we engage more in casual conversion starter of “Hi; bye; how are you?; what are you doing?” and quickly exiting the conversation to another person or group. How can we build authentic relationship with such situation? (Don’t get me wrong, big group gathering is important because it facilitates connection and big group dynamics. And I still long for that).

Even in our family gathering, I am not sure whether we hold good and deep conversation with one another or we are at our own corner doing our own things after dinner.

I recall a meme whereby when 5 are allowed in a group, there is always a 6^th person left out. And when 2 are allowed in a group, there is always a 3^rd person left out. Hopefully, I am not the 6^th or 3^rd person respectively. 😊    

So now, given this constraint or a God-given opportunity for us to build certain practice in our lives, when lesser people can gather at one place, and more time/focus can be given to build and encourage one another, deeper and authentic conversation can take place, life can be shared, this is ‘when less is more’.

Thirteen more days before another phase comes. Let’s not be weary or discourage during this period. Ride the wave, make use of the ‘constraint’, and build ourselves with good practices and build others as we can focus more and share life with them.   

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Singapore has a destiny but what part have I to do living in this country?

The Nation is celebrating her 56^th year. Truly amazing grace that we are where we are for a tiny dot on the map. I have heard prophecies given to Singapore that it will be the Antioch of Asia and that God has great plans for this nation. And as believers, we need to continue to pray for this nation that God has put us in (whether we are born in Singapore; became a Singaporean somewhere in history or just residing here temporarily). There is a reason why we are here for such a season like this. 

Remembering the prophecy to the exile, the peace and welfare of the city they were residing in was highlighted. The ‘non-locals’ were to seek peace and welfare of the city.

Jeremiah 29:7 (NASB95) ⁷ ‘Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’

Recalling the speech by Paul in Acts 17 and highlighting verse 26, it is God who determined the boundaries of our habitation. It is Him who put us where we are now.

Acts 17:24–31 (NASB95) ²⁴ “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; ²⁵ nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; ²⁶ and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, ²⁷ that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; ²⁸ for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ ²⁹ “Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. ³⁰ “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, ³¹ because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”

I know that prophecies were given to Singapore as a nation. But living as one individual among the nearly 6 million in the country, what should or can I do as part of the plan?

I do not know God’s plan for you as an individual during this season in this country. But surely, you can seek the peace and welfare of the city by praying for Singapore in the now and Singapore of the future.

You can seek the peace and welfare of the city by being a good neighbor to others.

You can seek the peace and welfare of the city by being a part in landscaping her through your involvement in your community and nation (pending on your sphere of influence).

And since I am a husband, a father and a pastor, I can do my practical part to ensure my physical and spiritual family do our parts in seeking the peace and welfare of this nation God has put us in.  

We can all do our part...