THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2012
Psalms About Righteousness and Wickedness
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)
7. In all things, we increasingly see the sovereignty, mercy, and justice of God. In our present-world experience, we struggle to comprehend how the wicked may prosper but the righteous struggle. From Romans 8:28,29, “…we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” God works all things so that we might be “conformed to the likeness of His Son,” the highest good. Therefore, we may view even struggle or pain as part of God’s loving and purposeful will for His children. His sovereignty is inextricably linked to His goodness.
QUESTIONS
- How can you seek more of God’s presence? How have you seen “light” in His light?
- 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 characteristics out?
________________________________________
1) Blog: http://bit.ly/rV1Cw1
2) Facebook: http://on.fb.me/tc6jkS
No comments:
Post a Comment