“Godliness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Verse 34). This next to the last verse seems to summarize the entire chapter. In an age where government officials use their office to enrich themselves, subvert the rights of citizens, refuse to enforce laws that safeguard our country and citizens and punish criminals, we experience greater lawlessness and danger to ourselves, our families, friends, and neighbors in general.
How do we get things turned around after it has gotten so bad? The answer is given to us by Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount. “Pray along these lines: ‘Our Father in heaven, we honor Your holy name. We ask that Your kingdom will come now. May Your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven’.” (Matt. 6:9-10). We may pray this in our churches on Sunday, but it seems as though we don’t expect it to happen in our lifetime. Sometimes I think we don’t believe it is possible. It becomes words of a ritual and nothing more.
If we want to see goodness in our land, we must begin to believe what Jesus said. In chapter 9:10, we read, “For the reverence and fear of God are basic to all wisdom. Knowing God results in every other kind of understanding.” In this chapter, Solomon wrote, “Reverence for God gives a man deep strength; his children have a place of refuge and security. Reverence for the Lord is a foundation of life; its waters keep a man from death.” (Verses 26-27).
Our culture today encourages us to “walk a mile in my shoes”. Society wants us to try to think that way so we will empathize with another person. Solomon explained why this is impossible, “only the person can know his own bitterness or joy – no one else can really share it.” (Verse 10). We cannot understand a person because we don’t know what he or she has experienced in life nor can we understand how those experiences affected them.
So, what is the solution to helping people? Solomon gives us some tips in this chapter. “The common bond of godly people is goodwill. . .the godly man’s life is exciting. . .to despise the poor is to sin. Blessed are those who help them. . .those who plan good shall be granted mercy and quietness. . .A wise man controls his temper. He knows that anger causes mistakes. . .A relaxed attitude lengthens a man’s life; jealousy rots it away.” (Verses 9, 14, 21-22, 29-30).