Proverbs 11:11 – By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
Have you ever stopped to consider how you can clean a clogged drain? Over time sink drains clog with dirt, hair, and other filthier things that we would rather just forget. Some people think that you can simple use a sink like a garbage shoot and send everything down that narrow pipe that was intended for liquid and very small food particles. When one gets clogged and you catch it early enough, one of the best ways to fix it is to force clear water through the drain to clean it out with overwhelming pressure. Otherwise harsher methods like chemicals, plumbing snakes or repairs may be required.
The righteousness of God’s people is a prerequisite for a righteous nation. If the people behave properly then things run smoothly, but when they sin and do not repent…well you know what happens. Many times we fail to remember that our sins have lasting consequences, and it is those lasting consequences that impact our neighbours and our children. Sometimes we need to flush out the bad using the overwhelming pressure of the clear water of God’s Word applied to our hearts.
The Proverb above speaks to this notion that the whole city or community is blessed by the actions of the upright. A just society does not strictly require everyone to be upright, but those with influence and those with the ability to serve according to God’s will should not shrug off that responsibility. If we fail to keep the wicked in check, then the filth of life will flood our homes. Beware of the temptation to overlook “little sins.” Like the seed of a poisonous plant, these problems grow and fester in the dark when we are unattentive.
So go clean your sink and exalt the Lord today. Who knows? A city might follow you. If not, the wicked are waiting to make a mess of things.
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