1. A people who love justice (1-17)

If a nation has a wise, just and righteous ruler, the people are happy. But if the ruler is wicked and has no conscience, if he ignores justice, takes bribes, listens to lies, and oppresses the poor, then the people of that nation lose direction. The purpose of discipline is to make men and nations walk in the way of righteousness and justice. We must not be stiff-necked and proud when we are rebuked (1). We must discipline our children (15,17).

2. Where there is no revelation... (18-27)

The KJV translates verse 18, 'Where there is no vision, the people perish...' Vision comes from God's revelation. God revealed himself and his world purpose in his word. It is here that we find God's vision for ourselves and for our nation. We must have vision, and we must have a prayer topic for our nation. If there is no national direction, the people cast off all moral restraint. This leads to destruction. We must fear God and put our hope in him (25,26).

Application: Lord, help America to become a kingdom of priests, not another Sodom.
One Word: Have God's vision