Learn Righteousness

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Learn Righteousness

We’ve all seen news articles where a criminal is given a reprieve from his sentence  and is allowed to go free.     All sorts of reasons are given  ranging from:  he’s had enough punishment — to he has shown good behavior in prison — to psychological tests show that he is reformed — to there isn’t enough room  in the prison system.

But,  in spite of being shown a great favor,  the ex-con soon returns  to his life of crime,  whether it be rape,  murder,  robbery,  or whatever.     Having been in prison  did not encourage  a change of behavior — and having been set free  did not make him grateful enough  to stop his wickedness.     Human nature has not changed  since the beginning of time.     We can read  about the same sorts of circumstances  in Isaiah 26:9-10,

At night  my soul longs for Thee,
Indeed,  my spirit  within me  seeks Thee diligently;
For when the earth experiences Thy judgments
The inhabitants  of the world  learn righteousness.

Though the wicked  is shown favor,
He does not  learn righteousness;
He deals unjustly  in the land  of uprightness,
And does  not perceive  the majesty  of the LORD.

Those who look  to God for help  in their troubles learn  to trust  in the LORD more and more  with each new problem in life.     Isaiah says that these people “learn righteousness”.     They can see and understand  that whatever sorts of   “judgments”  they have to go through  in this world  are all our heavenly Father  lovingly leading us  into paths  of righteousness.     So,  these people are  glad and grateful  for the loving discipline  of the LORD.    They trust Him.     It helps keep them  on the straight and narrow,  which they know is good.

But,  when a wicked person is shown  any sort  of favor,  they don’t  learn  to be righteous.     They have no desire  to be good  when they see how wonderful goodness is.     With ungrateful hearts  that sneeringly despise the show  of favor,  they just proceed  to arrogantly do more  of their evil — and laugh all the while,  as they think  godly goodness  is dumb.     After all,  goodness was dumb enough  to give  another chance  to do wrong.

Since these traits  have been evident  in human nature  since the beginning,  we should examine our own lives  to see  how we are letting ourselves  be molded.     Are we letting the love  of God  in Jesus Christ  bring us  to a life  of  faith,  hope,  and love?     Or  do we mock the love  of God  and His offer  of total forgiveness  through faith  in Christ?     Are we learning  the righteousness  of faith alone  through the grace  of the LORD?     Or do we feel  we can do  whatever we please  and get away with it  because God will never punish us?     Think about it.

For our own sake,  we need to realize  what we are doing  and where we are headed.

In the peace  and rest  of appreciating the forgiveness we have  in Jesus Christ,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     My Savior,  thank You  for so faithfully guiding me  with Your discipline  and the strength  of Your power  to sustain me  in all my needs.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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