When Righteous Foundations Crumble

“When the foundations are being destroyed,
    what can the righteous do?”
— Psalm 11:3 (NKJV)

Today’s devotional is meant to inspire prayer for our troubled nation as we endure turbulent times. In Psalm 11, Israel’s righteous foundations were shaking. King Saul regarded neither truth nor justice, and the righteous had no security in the land. David, realizing faithful believers were dwindling, cried out to God for help. We should note that David wasn’t crying out for the return of “the good old days.” Instead, he was agonizing over the absence of righteousness in Israel.

Moral Consciousness

Just as David mourned the erosion of foundations considered righteous in his time, Americans today sense a similar decline in society. America’s moral values—such as individual rights, equality, and inclusivity—are at stake. Current debates over immigration test our nation’s commitment to inclusivity. In addition, disputes regarding freedom of speech question our dedication to open dialogue. Furthermore, persistent racial injustice highlights ongoing struggles with equality. Many believe our society cannot thrive unless it restores righteous foundations. People anticipate a change is coming, but no one seems willing to make it. Therefore, it is left up to believers to usher in this change. After all, Jesus said, believers are the light of the world and the salt of the earth.

Statistics show that the number of people who believe in God is declining. According to the Pew Research Center, “Nearly nine-in-ten Americans (89%) say they believe in ‘God or a universal spirit,’ and most of them (63% of all adults) are certain in this belief. There has been a modest decline in the share of Americans who believe in God since the Religious Landscape Study was first conducted in 2007 (from 92% to 89%). Even more, there has been a bigger drop in the share of Americans who say they believe in God with absolute certainty (from 71% to 63%).” This drop calls into question our continued commitment to the foundations of righteousness that once defined America. More than ever, righteous foundations need to be upheld.

Pursuing Justice Through Prayer

Psalm 11 reminds us that even when our nation’s foundations—those grounded in righteousness—seem to be crumbling, hope remains. Upholding righteous foundations is essential for enduring turbulent times. David’s response was not to give up, but to turn to God, trusting that He still reigns and sees all. Let David’s response to unrighteousness encourage us. When we feel overwhelmed by conflict, injustice, or the loss of shared values, we should seek guidance, renewal, and strength from God.

What does this mean in practical terms? It means that Christians should strive for unity. It also means we should actively pursue justice, truth, and compassion through prayer. So, whether we advocate for fair laws or support marginalized victims, Christians must continue to pray for our nation to rebuild and strengthen the foundations rooted in righteousness. When we pray and defend righteous foundations in our society, we embody the faithfulness David modeled. As David’s example shows, even when the righteous are few, their faithfulness can inspire hope and change.

Dear God, I pray for every government official in this country. Fill them with the knowledge of Your will. Give them wisdom to unite, not divide America. I pray that You fill every American citizen with godly love that we may live in unity and not division.