What Can the Righteous Do?

Intro: Today our nation’s foundations of God and His word, truth, morality and the Christian faith are being undermined and destroyed. From today's scriptures we find the answer to what the righteous can do about keeping our foundations from being completely destroyed. Jesus promised us in Matthew 16:18b that “all the powers of hell will not conquer the church.”

I. First thing we can to do is keep our faith in God. Psalms 11:1-5 (NLT) I trust in the LORD for protection. So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety! ²  The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. ³  The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?” ⁴  But the LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. ⁵  The LORD examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. David contrast’s the problems on earth with the exalted position of the Lord in heaven. “What can the righteous do?” the fainthearted had asked (v. 3). David responded that the righteous can trust in the real Source of secure government whose throne is exalted in the heavens. The Lord who is in His holy temple still rules over the affairs of men, and Because He in His sovereignty is ruling over the earth, He sees and thoroughly investigates the activities of all mankind. We are to remember to count only on God’s power over all as David did in (Psalm 44:4-8 NLT) ⁴  You are my King and my God. You command victories for Israel. ⁵  Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes. ⁶  I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me. ⁷  You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies; you disgrace those who hate us. ⁸  O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name.

II. We can pray. 2 Chronicles 7:13-15 (NLT) ¹³  At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. ¹⁴  Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. ¹⁵  My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. God encouraged Solomon by the promise that if His judgment should fall on the nation for their sin, they need only turn to the Lord in earnest humility and repentance and they would find forgiveness and restoration. This promise is good for us today because we are His people. We can pray for our nation because we have been invited to by God Himself. We pray because we can’t solve our problems and we have needs that only God can provide. No man or political party can meet our needs. That’s why we need to pray and open up to God. Man without the Lord will always go the wrong way.

III. We can look unto Jesus. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT2)
¹  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ²  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. This great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us are the people of faith who believed God and stood fast for God. They stood fast against all kinds of trials, temptations, opposition, death and evil governments. Their great faith and endurance should stir and inspire us to endure in our belief. They never buckled or crumbled in their faith when times got hard. We are to strip off Every “weight.” That means get rid of those things that hold us back, such as use of time, some forms of entertainment, or certain relationships and putting other things or people before God. It is especially important to get rid of all sin because it hinders our spiritual progress and brings God's judgment on our families and nation. Sins of any kind can cause believers to drift off spiritual course. We must run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by looking unto Jesus at all times and in every situation and circumstance. He is our example! We read God's word, pray daily and walk in obedience to Him and His way as Jesus did. We can make a tremendous difference.

Conclusion: It's time to get serious about our faith. There is much we who are righteous in Christ can do. It is time for us to wake up and begin to do these things listed above because our nation’s foundations are being destroyed. Our way of life as we know it is in the process of changing. We must fight the good fight of faith and continue steadfast in what we believe no matter what.

Invitation: Because of these trying times, we must be prepared to stand up for what we believe no matter what. So now is the time to “Make your calling and election sure.”

If you have never confessed your sins to Jesus and called on Him to forgive your sins, now is the time. The return of Christ is very near, so don’t put off making sure of your salvation, time is short.