Godliness Exalts a Nation

Do you ponder and pray about the erosion of morality in our own United States of America? Some people are very concerned and cry out to God for divine direction, but way too many are sadly choosing to remain silent. They sit on the fence for safety’s sake without taking a stand for Jesus? A way of living disconnected from The Vine is sweeping across America like wildfire. What are we to do?

Proverbs 14:34 sheds light on status for many countries who have been swayed by Satan’s ploys and saturated with ways of living not pleasing to God.

“Godliness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”

Reading a devotion from ‘A Pocketful of Hope’ by Mary Crowley gave insight into this story God stirred as we embark on a new era and new administration in 2021.

Mary’s dedication told me she loved the Lord and was a Christian businesswoman. Her loving devotion to God, family, work, and living life to the fullest shines in every devotion she shared in her old but awesome book..

“A Pocketful of Hope is dedicated to the thousands of members of the Home Interiors’ Family...whose loyalty, labor, and love have made the building of this business a ‘thing of beauty and joy’!”

Honestly, I helped with her success by attending many Home Interiors parties in the seventies when Tim and I were decorating our mobile home and the home we moved to in Sumter, S.C.! A few candlesticks and inspirational pictures are stored away as reminders of decor in our first homes. Memories also linger of the unrest and rebellious youth taking a stand against Vietnam and other issues rising up in America.Television and radio were the only main sources of social media promoting division in the land we love and call home. Gatherings where music, peace signs, and protests grew greater found their way to Washington where many people cried ‘disgraceful’; yet, the powerful protests persisted and began an era of peaceful revolution.

The message Mary Crowley wrote in 1980 was on the heels of a decade of protests, Her words strike a chord of unrest in my own heart as I share her words that seem fitting for America in 2021.

“All thinking people are concerned these days with the erosion of morality in our own precious United States of America. I am reminded again of the words of Tocqueville when he came to America:

‘I sought for the greatness and genius of America - In her commodious harbors and great rivers, ...and it was not there.

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her fertile fields and boundless forest,...and it was not there.

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her rich mines and her vast world commerce,...and it was not there.

I wrought for the greatness and genius of America in her public school system and her institutions of learning,... and it was not there.

I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her Democratic Congress and matchless Constitution,... and it was not there.

Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the Secret of her Genius and Power!

America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good - America will cease to be great.

O God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come - our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home...How we pray that America will return to the God of her fathers, and that once more our nation can be called “GOOD”! YOu have told us, “If my people who are called by my name, will turn from their wicked ways and call unto me, I will hear and heal their land. God help us.”

May we realize words written forty years ago ring true today for the nation we love and are concerned about erosion of morality, dishonor for God, His Word, Jesus’ way of living, and disrespect for Christian values. Have we stood by and watched as America seemingly ceases to be good? Now, is truly the time for all believers to come to the aid of America, so we can witness a miracle and be a great nation... ‘under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all’!