When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
    and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
¹¹ By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.

Character Affects a City

In the United States things are gearing up for another general election.  Both the major candidates say that they believe in God and there are varied and vehement opinions as to whether that is true.  I know that some of my Democratic friends will shout with joy if Romney fails.  Also I have Republican friends who fear that if Obama is re-elected it will continue a ruination of America and its values.  We assume righteousness or wickedness in the heart of the candidates.  It does actually matter if these perspectives are true.  Of course, the Bible teaches that a measure of ultimate wisdom or foolishness is based in one’s perspective on God.  Righteousness and wickedness will be an outworking of the condition of a candidate’s heart.  One’s religious convictions, according to Proverbs, don’t just affect our private lives.  We live in community and authentic heart-faith affects the whole community.  Whether it is a home, a church, a city or a country the condition of a heart will show in public life.  We have had a series of primaries to decide the character of Mitt Romney.  We have had four years of rule to assess the heart of Obama.  Americans need to choose between the most wise (or least foolish) in order for the nation to prosper or fail.  Who will it be?

Questions

1. How does a city react to te righteous?
2. How does a city react to the wicked?
3. How are public life and private life connected in these verses?
4. Who has been shown to be wicked in the news and we have rejoiced at their downfall?
5. Who has been shown to be righteous or wise in your life?