“Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.” Prov. 14:34
Today’s Christian Daily Devotional
As I read this verse, my heart drops to my stomach. It is no secret that America does not embrace the idea of righteousness. In fact, this word is practically non-existent in current popular culture. I think too many people associate righteousness with their grandmother and a dusty bible. Many do not see the importance, value and beauty in it. This takes me back a few years to memories of my goddaughter watching me as I got ready for a night of dancing at the strip club. She would pay close attention as I carefully applied my fake eyelashes and glitter eye shadow. I loved to soak in her refreshing company before I ventured out into the sea of hungry wolves.
I will never forget the complete collision of emotions the day she looked into my eyes with her big blue ones and said in such innocent sweetness; “Auntie Hanky, I want to grow up to be just like you!” Every fiber in my being wanted to scream, “NO!” She had no idea that the reason I left her every night was to dance half-naked for strangers. My heart ached as I thought about how much I loved my precious Goddaughter. It would wound me to the core if she chose to follow the path that I was on. It is sad to admit that at that time, I did not love or value myself enough to search for my own a way off that path.
When I share with others the story of my shameful past, the hurt and regret are very obvious. I am not proud. Many have tried to comfort me by telling me that we all have our own path in life. But, I beg to differ. I did not have to CHOOSE to go down the wrong one! I did not have to CHOOSE to set a bad example for the precious and impressionable eyes of my little Goddaughter and my younger sisters who were looking up to me as a role model. I envision where our society would be if every person made the choices that I made—and it makes me shiver. Righteousness is not a dirty word. Sin is.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
The state of our nation today is the result of many bad choices. We, as a people, have embraced our favorite sins and have made great excuses for including them in our lives, families, routines and attitudes. Each one of us is personally responsible for our life. For many years, I took this lightly and the results weighed heavy on my life. Many people suffered from my bad choices. Lord, I come to you and repent of the wickedness that made me feel good for a moment and then later stole the peace and security of knowing that I had right standing with you. God, your ways are righteous. I have seen in my little life how living your way brings health, happiness and peace in the storms of life. I pray that every person who is suffering from the turmoil of his/her own choices just to STOP, repent, turn to you and receive a total cleansing. Give each one of us the power to turn against the weakest parts of ourselves and ask for you to turn those areas into our greatest strength. Only God has the power for this kind of miracle. We trust you, Lord. In Jesus’ precious name, because there is no other place to go for this kind of healing, Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s daily devotional. Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan