Tag: righteousness

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I Ran a Marathon

Daily Reading

Hebrews 11-13

Daily Thought

The Greek Games were a spectacular display of the Roman world. Cities had stadiums, and stadiums were filled with spectators cheering the chariots and the runners, the fighters and the tossers of javelins. The writer of Hebrews lifts this familiar Olympic imagery to heavenly heights, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2). The spectators, the cloud of witnesses, include Old Testament titans of faith such as Abel and Noah and Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, Moses and Rahab, David and Samuel. They have run their races, inspiring our efforts, and now cheer us on.

But I hate running.

When my wife turned 40, she decided running a marathon would be a good idea. I already told you I hate running, but I love Debbie, so we bought a book–The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer–and did what it said. A 16-week training guide to run 26.2 miles, but the book said before we could even begin we had to run 3 miles. I couldn’t run 3 blocks. Took me a month to get to the point where I could start the training.

During the next 16 weeks, we worked our way up until we were taking 18 mile runs, but the week before the marathon, our bodies need to rest. The book says to take it easy, only 3 mile runs. 

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” ~Hebrews 12:11

Run 3 miles? Piece of cake! 

Daily Prayer

Lord God, You began a work in me that You promise to complete. Do whatever it takes. I will, too. I’m not saying I will like it, but I want it. There is this joy in front of me, and I will endure whatever it takes to reach it.

Right now it seems like a lot of work to live rightly. Someday, it will come naturally. God, I will continue to throw off whatever is holding me back and keep my eyes on Your Son Jesus Christ. He is my goal. I want to look like Him.

Amen

Daily Question

How easy is it for you to live a godly life?

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Rest

Daily Reading

Job 29-31

Daily Thought

Job ignored his friends and laid out his final appeal before God: my life was good, really good (Job 29). Now it’s really bad (Job 30). What did I do wrong? (Job 31). At least sixteen times Job suggests a sin and begins, “If I have,” by which he means he hasn’t. Job is, indeed, a righteous man.

If “the fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding” (Job 28:28), Job was intentional in turning away: “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?” (Job 31:1). It was not that his eyes would stop seeing–that would be impossible–but that they would never stop moving. The first look is free, it cannot be stopped. It is the second look that costs you. Job’s eyes would not fix their gaze on what they should not.

Job had, at last, presented his case before God, and he was done; “the words of Job are ended” (Job 31:40). In judicial jargon, he rested.

“The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.” ~Isaiah 32:17

It is called shalom, this place of peace where Job had arrived. The turmoil swirled around him still, yet he is secure in the hands of God, as he had always been.

Daily Prayer

Father in heaven, You are holy, You are good. Your kingdom is righteous. I long to live forever in a righteous kingdom, a kingdom where peace reigns, but may it begin now with me. May I find peace in a messy world by trusting in You. 

Help me guard my eyes, God, that they will not linger on temptation. Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, may I fix my gaze on such as these and delight in goodness. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth, in my life, right now, as it is in heaven. 

Amen

Daily Question

What intentional habits do you practice to keep yourself from sinning? 

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Peace

Daily Reading

1Kings 1-2

Daily Thought

The first words of the first book of Kings remind us our time is transitory, “Now King David was old and advanced in years” (1 Kings 1:1). The reign of David would pass on to another, to his son Solomon, and God tells David, “Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days” (1Chronicles 22:9). Except the first chapter of his reign was bloody. His inauguration was marked by violent justice, because true and lasting peace comes, not from wishfulness, but righteousness. Solomon would be the man of peace who delivers righteousness, cleansing a land stained in blood.

Before Solomon could claim the throne, however, another of David’s sons, Adonijah, seeing an opportunity, asked for Abishag to be his wife. Abishag had been King David’s concubine. If she became his wife, it became Abishag’s claim to the throne. Unfortunately for Adonijah, who asked for Abishag, Solomon, instead, asked for wisdom, and wisdom saw through the treachery. “Ask for him the kingdom also!” (1King 2:22), cried Solomon, for he knew the true heart of Adonijah was not for Abishag, but for the throne. Adonijah’s treachery was exposed and Adonijah was executed.

Two others had displayed treachery in the past and could not be trusted in the future, and they, too, would feel the sword of justice. Joab had spilled the innocent blood of Abner and Amasa while David was king. Shimei, a relative of Saul, aroused rebellion in the people. “Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity” (Proverbs 22:8)–you reap what you sow–and at the inauguration of his reign, Solomon sowed justice and blood was spilled. Justice shall rule the land; and through justice, righteousness; and out of righteousness, peace.

To find peace, you first must pursue righteousness, and only then will peace follow.

Daily Prayer

God of peace, I know that You are good and You made this world good. When I follow You, I am blessed. Your discipline is good. It comes from Your love and Your desire to see me live a life of righteousness and peace.

Your correction is painful, at times, but I am glad for it. It puts me back on the right track. Do not let me become blind and deaf to the consequences of evil, but help me remember the joy of walking with You, so I will always long for it.

Amen

Daily Question

Why is righteousness essential for peace?

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Heaven Has a Dress Code

Daily Reading

Matthew 22-23

Daily Thought

Jesus described God’s kingdom as a wedding feast, and the celebration promises to be spectacular, “my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.” (Matthew 22:4). Everyone is invited, but many do not accept the invitation–“they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business” (Matthew 22:5). Perhaps it was the dress code. Yes, heaven has a dress code. “Friend,” the king asked, “how did you get in here without a wedding garment?” (Matthew 23:12). 

There is an attitude in those who “make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues” (Matthew 23:5-6). They dress for success and exalt themselves, but Jesus exposes their woefulness with the harshest of words, “you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence; you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones; you serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell” (Matthew 23:25, 27, 33). That is quite a rampage over clothes.

Jesus is exposing what the clothes are covering–their hearts. “They do all their deeds to be seen by others” (Matthew 23:5); but seen by God, “all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment” (Isaiah 64:6), like filthy rags. You do not wear filthy rags to God’s party, thus, the dress code, the need for our wedding garment. 

But there is good news! The clothing is free, bought by the groom and offered to you, “he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10). Accept the invitation, put on the clothes, and celebrate!

Daily Prayer

Holy God, remove from my heart all that stains who I am. Clean me from the inside-out. Dying for my sins, Your Son made me new again, then clothed me in his righteousness. I wear these clothes with pride, not because they make make me look good (which they do), but because they show off Your glory.

May I wear boldly your clothes of righteousness every day so that people see Your salvation.

Amen

Daily Question

Would you feel comfortable seated next to Jesus at a banquet? Why or why not?

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Chapters of Wrath

Daily Reading

Jeremiah 46-48

Daily Thought

God utilized the enemies of Israel to discipline his children, but that does not make their violence virtuous. These evil nations were all too willing to strike God’s chosen, and lest they glory in their victories, the Lord executes the promise of retribution he gave to Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse” (Genesis 12:3). The children of Israel aptly disciplined, God’s sword now turns toward justice against the Egyptians and the Philistines, the Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, Elam, and Babylon.

These nations assaulted Israel and, because of that, ought fear the looming wrath of God and run. And run they will, but “he who flees from the terror shall fall into the pit, and he who climbs out of the pit shall be caught in the snare (Jeremiah 48:44). Out of the frying pan, into the fire, so to speak, and God’s judgment is sure. There will be no place to run, hide, or escape. 

God’s terror of righteousness against those opposed to righteousness creates an awful clamor, and Jeremiah cries, “Ah, sword of the Lord! How long till you are quiet? Put yourself into your scabbard; rest and be still!” (Jeremiah 47:6). The Bible is a book of love, yet there are chapters of wrath, and this must be. A holy love demands a holy hatred of evil–“How can it be quiet when the Lord has given it a charge?” (Jeremiah 47:7), responds the Almighty. These nations desired neither goodness nor God, but sought what was evil. This God’s holiness cannot abide, thus, the sword.

Daily Prayer

Righteous God of Justice, You are holy. Thank You for salvation, because I deserve Your wrath. My righteousness does not measure up–it is as filthy rags. And my unrighteousness, well, I’m good at that. You have covered my sin by the blood of Your Son who took my sins and, thus, bore Your wrath. There is, therefore, now no condemnation because Your justice is true and satisfied and the righteousness of Your Son is now mine. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2Corinthians 5:21). Thank You.

Amen

Daily Question

Does the wrath of God frighten you?

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Righteousness

Daily Reading

Jeremiah 23-25

Daily Thought

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’” ~Jeremiah 23:5-6

Jeremiah prophesies of Jesus and it is good that God will make him king because we would never elect him. Not with that slogan! Browse our bumper stickers and web banners and you will find words such as hope and peace and love and justice, but never righteousness. We do not think much of righteousness. 

But we should.

Debbie and I bought our first home and it needed a retaining wall in the backyard, so I headed to Home Depot with the measurements. I gave the clerk the height and length of the wall and he sold me the blocks. Too many blocks I thought, and I questioned him and discovered an additional row of blocks called the footer must be buried underground. I did not like to pay for a row of blocks that would never be seen, but the wall will not stand without it. 

That is what righteousness is. It is not for show (“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them,” Matthew 6:1) and it comes with a cost (“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,” Matthew 5:10). Righteousness must be the buried bedrock of a nation, of a family, of a person, for hope and peace and love and justice will not stand without it. 

Daily Prayer

My Heavenly Father, Your Word is good, it fills me and keeps me going. It is what I live on. That’s what Jesus said, more than bread, every word from Your mouth gives me a life that is full and vibrant.

May I feast on what the right food, what brings light and life into my world, rather than the dark and empty words that waste to nothing. May I fill myself with words of hope and faith and love, grace and truth, justice and righteousness.

Amen

Daily Question

Where do you find righteousness pursued in our world today?

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Always Hope

Daily Reading

Jeremiah 4-6

Daily Thought

Abraham’s attempt to rescue Sodom from judgment began with, “Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city” (Genesis 18:24). Then forty-five, then forty, thirty, twenty, and, at last, ten. For ten righteous people, God would lift his hand of judgment. 

Jeremiah need only find one in Judah, 

“Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note!
Search her squares to see if you can find a man,
one who does justice and seeks truth,
that I may pardon her.” ~Jeremiah 5:1

Jeremiah found none. God’s judgment against Judah is just as he turns his creation upside down. 

“I looked on the earth, and behold, it was without form and void;
and to the heavens, and they had no light.
I looked on the mountains, and behold, they were quaking,
and all the hills moved to and fro.
I looked, and behold, there was no man,
and all the birds of the air had fled.
I looked, and behold, the fruitful land was a desert,
and all its cities were laid in ruins
before the Lord, before his fierce anger.” ~Jeremiah 4:23-26 

Little wonder Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet, for these are the visions he must proclaim. Nevertheless, the a prophet’s job is not to pronounce final doom, but future hope. Out of destruction shall come deliverance, “for thus says the Lord, ‘The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end’” (Jeremiah 4:27).

Jeremiah may weep, but he need not despair. Even when there is no one found righteous, there is always God, so there is always hope.

Daily Prayer

My God, You are love, bearing all things, enduring to the end. I think I put Your patience to the test, and yet Your grace perseveres. I deserve what I should get, but You took what I deserve and gave me life, a life eternally wonderful. Thank You.

The life You give me I return to You to be used as You direct. I want to be part of good news to the world. May I live daily grateful to You, gracious to others.

Amen

Daily Question

Which has more power, righteousness or evil?

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The Little Green Car

Daily Reading

Isaiah 54-58

Daily Thought

He drives fast, whips around a little green car who is not in a hurry, and speeds ahead. The next light is red. Brake. Green light. Accelerate. Red light. Brake again. His eyes dart from the rear view mirror to the road ahead and back to the mirror. He will see the cop before the cop sees him. Switching lanes for the 20th time in 12 miles, the last turn is ahead. He checks his watch. Fifteen minutes. Not bad. 

His shoulder aches.  “Why am I so tense?” he wonders, as he rubs it.  

“The wicked are like the tossing sea;
for it cannot be quiet,
and its waters toss up mire and dirt.
There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” ~Isaiah 57:20-21

He turns the corner and, one last time, glances at the mirror, spying the little green car coasting through the intersection from which he turned 10 seconds ago.

Thus says the Lord,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you to profit,
who leads you in the way you should go.
Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments!
Then your peace would have been like a river,
and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” ~Isaiah 54:17-18

The guy in the green car, his shoulders feel fine.

Daily Prayer

God of Peace, when I follow You, when I walk on the path You lay before me, when I pursue righteousness, I live confidently and I enjoy peace. Peace is found only in righteousness. What a wonderful feeling it is, Father, to think back on my day without shame. To smile because I made You smile. To know that I do not fear getting caught because I have nothing to hide. To live in the truth because I told no lies. 

God, when I do what is right, I find rest. And it’s a lot easier to talk with You.

Amen

Daily Question

Would you describe your life more often as hectic or peaceful? Why?

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Only God

Daily Reading

Psalm 140-145

Daily Thought

What makes an evil king evil? King Ahab of Israel, an evil king, was going to war. He asked King Jehoshaphat, a righteous king, to join him. Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Inquire first for the word of the Lord.” King Ahab had 400 prophets who said “Yes.” They always said “Yes.” Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not here another prophet of the Lord of whom we may inquire?” Ahab said there was one other, “…but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil” (1Kings 22:5, 7-8).

An evil king wants to hear only good. 

In Psalm 141, we listen to King David pleading for purity. almost commanding God to attend to him, “Give ear to my voice when I call you!” (Psalm 141:1), The exclamation mark is rightly placed at the end–a reverent “Listen to me when I talk to you” would be an accurate translation. David wants help from God; he longs to hear from God, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth” (v 3), and from the godly, “Let a righteous man strike me–it is a kindness; let him rebuke me–it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it” (v 5).

A righteous king wants to hear only God.

Daily Prayer

Lord God, You know the beginning and the end, Your words are wise and good, and You lead into righteousness those who are willing to follow.

God, I will make time each day to read Your Word. Speak to me. May Your Word reveal any rebelliousness in me and may it teach, reprove, correct, and train me to be righteous.

Amen

Daily Question

How does God correct you when you are wrong?

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Practice Comes First

Daily Reading

Psalm 119:1-88

Daily Thought

“The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” ~Philippians 4:9

Psalm 119 is the ABC’s of God’s Word. One hundred seventy-six verses broken into sets of 8, each verse of the first set begins with Aleph, the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the second set, the second letter, and so on. The psalm speaks of God’s Word in my life, a Word to be known, to be studied, to be mastered and to master me, to be lived and to be played like a beautiful instrument. “Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning” (Psalm 119:54).

If you have ever put a guitar in your hands or brought a horn to your lips, you get this psalm. Practice comes first, before you can begin to play. The goal is to stop looking at your fingers on the frets, to forget even that you are holding a guitar, and just play the music; and there is no play without practice. 

Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord!
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways! ~Psalm 119:1-3

Daily Prayer

Wonderful God, With pleasure I call You Master. You are the Lord of lords. You are the Lord of me. You are the King of kings. I pledge my allegiance to You.

May I be a worthy citizen of the Kingdom of God, an ambassador of Your grace. May I live for eternity by sharing and showing Your love today.

Amen

Daily Question

Do you have to think about being righteous or does it just come naturally?