Proverbs 16:7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
This passage of scripture goes to the root cause of most of our troubles, both individually and nationally. Many people are at a loss for explanations as to why we seem to be troubled on every side from day to day, and many are the suggestions that abound, to solve the growing problem of extremism, and the senseless bloodletting which often attends it. The above scripture in Proverbs tells us why, for when individuals or nations try their best to please God, His protective watch-care rests upon us, and the many enemies that would like to do us harm are held at bay or defeated in various ways through the interposition of God. This sacred truth applies to all nations and persons without exception, for God does not deal in favoritism, but in righteousness. Let's read:
Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
When nations and individuals walk in obedience to the commands and instructions of God, His blessing and presence will attend them, but if we lift ourselves up in pride, and throw out the Bible as being irrelevant, then the door is opened for the devil to wreak havoc and fear, so that there is no peace or quietness roundabout. During the time of Joshua's leadership, the Hebrews had enjoyed a deepened relationship with God, and they had again renewed their covenant with Him to serve Him in spirit and in truth. Their steadfast purpose to turn their backs on idolatry, and to walk in the precepts of life could only result in blessings, which included not only temporal and spiritual prosperity, but also an invisible defense against all their foes. Let's read:
Joshua 21:44 And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. 45 There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.
This same experience can be ours today on a national and personal level. Our pledge of allegiance includes the phrase "One nation under God" and it would have been well if this were actually the case. But in many instances we are found to be doing the exact opposite of what God has plainly revealed, and in many cases the law of God has been thrown out as being inappropriate for our modern times.
When we presume to take God's place and try to redefine what is sin, then we may know for certain that we are treading on dangerous ground, and as a result, the omnipotent Hand that has guarded this country for so many years, will be gradually removed to give way to the most tyrannical ruler, satan himself, and the various human agencies that are under his direct control. This undesirable scenario we have been warned against in several passages of scripture, with the hope that we will make straight paths for our feet. Let's read:
Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Proverbs 31:3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 4 It is not for kings" ...... "to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. 14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. 15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. 17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
And we can go on, and on, and on, but the truth remains the same; when we make concerted efforts to walk in harmony with God's revealed will, His presence and blessings attend us on our way. And when for various reasons we depart from the path of rectitude, then wars and calamities, terrorism and diseases will haunt us day in and day out, with no end in sight except we turn again to The Lord our God with confession and repentance.
In our own personal experience, let it never be said of us that we suffered unnecessarily because of deliberately taking a wrong course of action, but let us try by God's grace to align ourselves with the kingdom of light, where the principles and commandments of God will bear sway. We therefore end with a passage of scripture that reiterates this very point, and it is the will of God that both our temporal and spiritual foes be permanently defeated, as we try to please God by walking in obedience to Him. The last passage of scripture we will observe is not a parable, but the plain unvarnished truth that is applied across the board to individuals and nations alike, with no respect of persons included. Let's read:
2nd Chronicles 7:13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. 19 But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; 20 Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them.
He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to us individually and collectively. "Good night" and God bless!