During WWII there was a saying “Loose lips
sink ships” to describe the need for vigilance around keeping important
information out of the hands of the enemy. In the age of Wikileaks the saying
might be “unsecured data transfer devices and lax security procedures damage
national security,” but that isn’t nearly as catchy.
Even if we don’t have access to top secret
government information, what we say still matters greatly to ourselves and our
communities. Our text for today declares that the city is positively affected
by the presence of the righteous. And the opposite is true as well.
We can think of parts of our cities that are
not safe to enter because of the crime. There are few upright people there.
They are so outnumbered by the wicked that the wicked rule the streets. There
is little to rejoice about when the wicked rule.
New York city used to be a very dangerous place,
but crime-fighting strategies have greatly increase the security and safety of
those living there. Crime rates were greatly reduced. And people felt safe enough
for the economic side of the city could progress. The wicked were kept in
check. They were not allowed to rule areas of the city.
Chicago, by contrast, has not been able to get
a handle on the violence. The wicked have not been kept in check by the
righteous.
I remember living in an area where criminals
seemed to be getting the upper hand. And I remember when some of the ‘bad guys’
got caught. We rejoiced that they had been removed from the neighborhood. We
felt relief. We were able to take back the streets. The neighborhood became
safe.
Is your life and testimony lifting up your
city or bringing it down? Is there rejoicing when things go your way? Or are
there groans of disappointment? Is wickedness or righteousness increasing where
you walk?