Hills Wesleyan

Over the years I’ve heard the following expression many times: “America is the greatest nation in the world!” As John Howard conceded defeat on Saturday evening he said in passing: “Australia is the greatest nation in the World!” As an unbiased person I agree with Mr Howard! However, more often than not these statements are mere emotional, patriotic drivel.

No one seems to ask the serious question, “What criteria establish a nation as the greatest in the world?”

If we ask people what makes a nation great we would probably get something like - the greatest nation in the world is the one that
• Has the most natural resources, money and military power
• Gives the most money to the poor
• Has a budget surplus
• Aborts the least numbers of babies
• Has the best climate
• Etc

If we ask the Creator of this world what makes a nation great in His eyes we discover a ‘deeper’ answer - ‘Love God’ and ‘Love people’.

The first criterion for greatness as a nation is whether or not we are in a right relationship with God - ‘Love God’. Does God have His rightful place in our nation? A nation is blessed with prosperity when God is the ‘real’ leader of that nation: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...” (Ps. 33:12)

The second criterion for greatness as a nation flows out of the first. Do we live according to God’s moral standard - ‘Love people’. If we really love people all our decisions will be a reflection of this standard. “Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Prov. 14:34)

The prophet Micah summed up these two requirements for us: “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” 
(Mic. 6:8)
Please pray for those in government, that they would come to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord, and allow this to be seen in the policies and decisions that are made on our behalf.
Tom