Bottom Up

(Proverbs 29:2 KJV)  When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

If you pay any attention to the mood of the public you will see that when some people “rejoice” (8055), others will “mourn” (groan NASB) (584).  This verse focuses on the type of leader.  I think the we also need to consider the type of follower.  Just as leaders come in different flavors, such as “righteous” (6662) and “wicked” (7563), so also do people in the general population.  When morality triumphs, the righteous celebrate.  At the same time the evil swing into action to undermine what is taking place.

We need to be aware that the battle between good and evil takes place on the street level as well as the places of power.  One of the realities I have heard expressed is that people get the kind of government they deserve.  On one level that is scary but on another level it brings to mind how God would have spared Sodom if they could have found just a few righteous people.

So?  Be salt.  Flavor your part of the world with the savor of righteousness.  Allow God to be the rewarder and punisher.