"An idol is anything you love more, fear more, value more, or serve more than you do Almighty God. Fill in the blank." - Adrian Rogers
"Among the multitudes of earth, happy are those who reject all idols and all vain confidence and choose the Lord to be their God. They are blessed beyond what word can speak, or thought conceive." - Henry Law
Psalm 33:12 says - "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance." This verse is considered to be the pivot on which the whole psalm turns. It is the center. It is the conclusion from what goes before and the theme of all that follows.
From this verse of Scripture, we gather that every "nation" has a "God." Every nation worships someone or something.
However, it is the "nation" that -
...is the Lord's people
...obeys and celebrates Him
...gives praise, sings, shouts, and plays skillfully for Him
...understands that His Word is true
...believes that He can be trusted because everything that He does is trustworthy
...recognizes that the earth is full of His mercy, love, and goodness
...recognizes Him as the Creator Who made the heavens by His command
...worships and stands in awe of Him
...understands that He alone has the power to frustrate the purposes, block the plans, and spoil the schemes of nations
...recognizes that His plans, purposes, and designs stand firm and endure forever
...is truly "blessed" because their "God is the LORD" - they worship only Him!
From His throne, Jehovah rules. He looks from Heaven upon all the children of men. Nothing is hidden from Him. He knows the motives of their hearts and watches everything that they do.
But to the "nation" of people "whose God is the LORD," He pays special attention. They are the ones who honor and obey Him... depend on Him... find joy in Him...trust in His holy Name...hope in His mercy... and trust in His constant love. He is their helper and protector. They are not looking to man - his position or his might - nor have they set up anything - "the arm of the flesh" - as a false hope for salvation.
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance."
"Nations" are made up of men. For a "nation" to be "blessed," it must be filled with men who are happy in the worship of the only true God. They are men - "that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful" (Psalm 1:1) ... "unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile" (Psalm 32:2) ... "that maketh the LORD their trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies" (Psalm 40:4) ... "whose strength is in God" (Psalm 84:5) ...and "that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in His commandments" (Psalm 112:1).
"Nations" are also made up of families. Imagine living in a "nation" where every family was like the family of Obededom who was privileged to "house" the "ark of God" as described in 1 Chronicles 13:14 - "And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had."
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance."
Oh how happy are the people who have Jehovah for their God - who have the knowledge of the true God and are taken into covenant with Him as "a peculiar treasure" (Exodus 19:5) ..."a people of inheritance" (Deuteronomy 4:20) ..."a special people unto Himself" (Deuteronomy 7:6) ...and "an holy people unto the LORD their God" (Deuteronomy 14:2).
Oh how happy is the "man"!
Oh how happy is the "family"!
Oh how happy is the "nation" "whose God is the LORD"!
They are the people who acknowledge Him as the Almighty Creator, Ruler of the world, and Protector of His people.
What about your "nation"? Is it "blessed" according to the Holy Scriptures?
Let's look at America, for example.
John Jay - the very first Chief Justice - who was often referred to as the "Father of the Supreme Court" and was one of the primary writers of the Constitution - wrote this statement - "It is the duty...of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."
In 1782, Congress approved the use of the Bible in our schools. However, in 1844, when someone sued to remove them, this is how the Supreme Court ruled - "Why should not the Bible, and especially the New Testament be read and taught as a divine revelation in the schools? Where can the purest principles of morality be learned so clearly or so perfectly as from the New Testament?"
The tallest structure in our nation's capitol - the Washington Monument - has inscribed at its very pinnacle the words in Latin from the Scriptures -
"Let God be praised."
But look how America has gone a long way from being a "blessed" "nation" "whose God is the LORD."
It once was a "nation" filled with "men" who were "blessed." Our Founding Fathers had a strong desire to be pleasing to God and to do His will.
Many of today's political leaders are doing that which is purposely displeasing to God and contrary to His will. Former President Obama was quoted as saying of America - "Whatever we once were, we are no longer a Christian nation." And he did everything within his power to make that statement true by endorsing the month long observance of Ramadan, Gay Pride Month, Abortion, and Gay Marriage.
America once was a "nation" filled with families like the "family of Obededom" who "housed" the "ark of God" or His presence in their homes. Now we find the family being torn apart at the seams by sexual immorality, sexual abuse, perversion, abortion, divorce, and same sex marriages.
The Holy Scriptures were a major part of the children's education and curriculum. But now we find that the Bible is banned from the schools, and consequently, the school systems, colleges, and universities have become so secularized and so distanced from Christianity.
America was born in the atmosphere of God and not gold. But more and more, it has become concerned with increasing wealth, prosperity, comfortable living, and pleasure loving rather than being faithful to God and His Holy Word.
On our money, we have printed the words - "In God we trust." But, is this true today for most Americans? Is Jesus their God, or is it true that anything and everything has become their god in whom they trust?
Think of what 1 Chronicles 13:14 said about the "family of Obededom" "housing" "the ark of God" - symbolic of the Holy Presence of Jesus - and how God "blessed" this "house" and all that Obededom had, and then think of what is infiltrating the countless homes of America. How horrible this is!
"Blessed is the man...the family...the nation" "whose God is the LORD."
One thing we must never forget is that the Sovereign God will "not be mocked." Galatians 6:7 says - "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
In listing all that the Almighty is capable of doing to "man"..."the deceiver"..."the deceived"... "counselors"... "judges" ... "kings" ..."princes"... "the mighty"..."the trusty"...and "the aged," Job then mentions in Job 12:23 - "He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: He enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again."
There is no doubt that national history is under the control of the Almighty. He prospers nations - makes them great - and also destroys them. He makes them increase in numbers and extends their borders - only thereafter to destroy and abandon them.
The "nations" are an object lesson for all mankind.
What has happened in the past is for our learning. God has blessed many a nation, only to have them - in turn - become proud of themselves, which then required His humbling dealings.
Look at Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Persia, Greece, and Rome. Also consider the nation of Israel. God "increased" them in Egypt, then diminished them in the wilderness. They advanced to great prosperity in David's and Solomon's days, but came to decay in Rehoboam's day and in the days of the kings that followed.
Each "nations'" rise and fall is determined by their adherence to God's constant laws. Their obedience to His laws means increase and prosperity. Their violation of His laws constitutes decay and ruin.
The Bible Believer's Commentary says it well - "So the pathway of blessing lies in cooperating with God."
Several commentaries offer Mr. Good's translation of Job 12:23 which says - "He letteth the nations grow licentious. Pride, fullness of bread, with extensive trade and commerce, produce luxury; and this is ever accompanied with profligacy of manners. When, then, the cup of iniquity is full, God destroys the nation, by bringing or permitting to come against it a nation less pampered, more necessitious, and inured to toil."
"Blessed is the man...the family...the nation" "whose God is the LORD."
Where does your "nation" stand today? Is it "blessed" or "cursed" by God? Is He about to "increase," "reduce," or "destroy" it - based on His Holy Laws?
If there was ever a day and an hour to pray, it is now! If there was ever a time to cry out to God for "mercy" for your nation, it is now!
Remember - national history is under His control. And you must never forget that He is a merciful God - "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
Cry out, Christian! Cry out, Families! Cry out Nations! There is still time to move the heart of God!
Cry out...and wrestle with God until He blesses you - "in turning away every one of you from his iniquities" (Acts 3:26).
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
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