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"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people" (Proverbs 14:34 NASV).

Today is midterms election day here in the USA. Leadership will be chosen for various positions. Our family will all vote and participate in our constitutional right.

We live in a swing state (nominally) so we are now inundated with nasty ads from both major senatorial candidates. During the final days it is at such a frenzied pace that they run the same ad over and over which can torment the viewer and ruin a good football game. We look forward to this dirt-slinging very soon ending but really don't expect much unity on Wednesday morning. Our country is terribly and deeply divided and apart from divine intervention we don't see this changing. We need a restoration of righteousness.

Our polling place is located in a Bible believing church and, although there is no electioneering allowed by the church, it's still interesting to pass through the foyer area on the way to the polling place. It's a blessing to be exposed to expressions of Biblical truth and righteousness even while pursuing patriotic duties!

When we pastored in New England in the 1990's our church was also used as a polling place. It was on a very busy highway (US route 44) that ran through our city with lots of traffic. We had a large road sign with a changeable message at the entrance. On Election Day, Veda Shibilo, my dedicated church secretary placed this message on both sides of the sign: "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people" (Proverbs 14:34). For many voters, especially in that region of the country, that was probably the full extent of their exposure to Scripture! Hopefully some paused to consider the truth declared in that short biblical phrase.

Over half a century ago Peter Marshall made the following prophetic statement:

We are being disgraced as a nation. To be sure sin has always been present but we are seeing such an increase, approval and even celebration of behavior described in the Bible as sin. Now those who believe in and stand up for Biblical righteousness are increasing vilified. The disgrace of sin abounds, yet so many are blind to it.

As I prepare this message I consider my grandmother, MaMa (Nellie Mae) Steincross, who died in the early seventies. As best I can determine she is a strong link in my spiritual lineage. Fifty years ago could she even have imagined the moral decadence, spiritual apathy, and outright craziness we are seeing today?

The righteousness that exalts a nation is fundamentally attained when individuals, families and churches turn to Christ and live daily in submission to His will. This has an accumulative impact on our community, state and entire nation. Thus a nation's leadership reflects the righteousness or unrighteousness of the people.

We have often used our daily Scripture text which is so powerful. Today we want to share it in a variety of translations that vary the wording slightly but may provide further insight:

• "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people." (NIV)
• "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." (KJV)
• "Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people" (Amplified Version)

The political leadership chosen today certainly influences the fate of our nation, but the greatest need is for individuals, families, churches, and communities to follow the pattern of 2 Chronicles 7:14 that teaches us to humble ourselves, pray, seek God's face and turn from our wicked ways. We pray for a restoration of righteousness in our land!

We each individually have the decision regarding the fate of our soul. We urge you to accept or reaffirm your personal decision to follow Christ today and experience God's great hope and peace as a citizen of heaven!

We emphasize again and again the most important decision that we will make in this life is to love and serve Jesus this day and every day and forever. If we do we will seek to please the Lord and obey His commands, thereby doing our part to make our country a righteous nation!