Today's Psalms provide us with rich insight regarding God's relationship with both the righteous and the wicked and what characteristics define the righteous and the wicked.
First, we note that all our righteousness is merely a reflection of God's character, brought about by a thankful heart and a willing spirit. We know that God has a great love for His children, regardless of their circumstances or stature:
"Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the might mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.
How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men
find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light." (Psalm 36)
This foregoing passage shows us the depth of God's lovingkindness and provision for His holy ones. We learn that only in relation to God may we find enduring wisdom ("light"). Yet, experiencing His abundance does not require that we have a mansion on a hill. In Psalm 37, we read that we are to "delight yourself in the LORD/ and he will give you the desires of your heart." What happens, however, when we delight in the Lord? We find ourselves satisfied with His very presence; just as with a dear friend or family member, we find that we value their presence more than their presents. As John Piper has pointed out, God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. The person who "delights" in the Lord seeks His presence and not just His blessings. Ironically, desert periods in our spiritual life often draw us closer to God because we recognize the value of His presence.
The passages also touch upon the character that God may develop in the righteous:
1. Psalm 1:1-3:
"Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers."
2. The righteous seek after God; there are not many who join them in this pursuit.
3. The righteous keep "his oath/ even when it hurts." (Psalm 15) They are faithful and true to their word.
4. They are patient in waiting upon the Lord: "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;/ do not fret when men succeed in their ways,/ when they carry our their wicked schemes." (Psalm 37)
5. Their words bring forth wisdom based on the content of their hearts:
"The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks what is just.
The law of his God is in his heart;
his feet do not slip." (Psalm 37)
6. The righteous recognize the shortness of life, giving them perspective of God's timing. We are merely stewards of the time that God has given us; how are we doing in serving Him with it? (Psalm 39)
QUESTIONS
1. How can you seek more of God's presence? How have you seen "light" in His light?
2. Which characteristics of the righteous would you better like to model in your life? How might you gain the wisdom and perspective to live these characterstics out?
No comments:
Post a Comment