“It’s Not the Economy”
Back in the 1992 presidential debate Bill Clinton coined a phrase, “It’s the economy, stupid.” The phrase won Clinton the debate and election. Today, this phase still resonates within our county as we are mired once again in high inflation, and an unrecognized recession.
But Bill Clinton was wrong. It isn’t about the economy. It’s also not about the pandemic, immigration, nor the dismal state of our health care, educational, or political systems. These are not the real issues facing our country or the world.
Yes, these and so many more things are important, but they’re only side issues. When it comes to what America, or any nation, what we need is RIGHTEOUSNESS.
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)
It is righteousness, not a great economy, nor a strong military that exalts a nation. Being in a right relationship with God should always come first. And in almost every nation, especially America, we have a big problem with that.
Even if we fix the economy, Social Security, unemployment, immigration, education, health care, or any number of things that have been the hot topics around the world, if we don’t start turning back to God, living our lives in accordance with His will, repenting and turning from our sins, then all these other things will never get fixed.
The root of our nation’s problems isn’t physical; it’s spiritual. Also, trying to change our country’s morals won’t help as well. We don’t need new politicians, what we need is a new heart. What we need is a genuine turning back to the God of the Bible.
A Christianized culture won’t save anyone, nor will it save our country. This will only happen when God’s people keep their EYES WET through grieving over our sinful condition, keep their KNEES BENT praying for our leaders, and keep their HEARTS SOFT and stop allowing what is hardening us to the real plight of the nation, sin.
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.
Proverbs 14:34 NIV
Dennis Lee is Senior Pastor at Living Waters Fellowship, Mesquite, Nevada. He presently has two books, “From Here to There: A Journey to Spiritual Transformation,” and “Wells of Living Waters,” He also writes a religious column for a local newspaper entitled, “Rediscover the Bible for Life,” along with daily devotionals and thoughts that he posts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Living Waters Fellowship’s Website
Image by DEEPAI
In reading this, there are two scriptures that come to mind. In regards to praying for our leaders, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” In regards to keeping our eyes wet through grieving over our sinful condition, the scripture that many of us are very familiar with that we all need to put into action, 2 Chronicles 7:14, ” 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.” That is what will change the hearts of men and bring revival to this nation, not the economy and the other things we tend to focus on.
Thank you, Debbie, for the great scripture references. Have yourself a great day, take care, and God bless.