Study 59

Text: Psalm 18

PRACTICAL RIGHTEOUSNESS

Once the principle of "personal righteousness" is understood, the next challenge is to work on "practical righteousness." Let us ponder the sound words of advice David penned in the following text.

"For I have kept the ways of the LORD;
And have not wickedly departed from my God.
For all His judgments are before me,
And I did not put away His statutes from me.
I was also blameless before Him,
And I kept myself from iniquity.
Therefore the Lord has recompensed me
According to my righteousness,
According to the cleanness of my hands in His sight."
Psalm 18:21-24

CONTENTS OF "PRACTICAL RIGHTEOUSNESS"

Making a list of the things David practised would give us an idea of "practical righteousness." Five things stand out:-

1. Keeping the ways of the Lord

2. Not departing from the Lord

3. The judgments and statutes of the Lord consciously remembered

4. Blamelessness

5. Studied avoidance of iniquity

These five things do not cover every aspect of "practical righteousness." Nevertheless, these five aspects if consistently kept will cause a person to stand in good stead before the Lord!

RIGHTEOUSNESS- A VITAL "WEAPON" IN THE BATTLE AGAINST EVIL

How important is righteousness in the war against evil? Absolutely important! The following reasons may be suggested:-

1. Righteousness results in God's blessing

2. Righteousness shames the wicked

3. Righteousness exalts the cause against evil!

~ Pastor Charlie Tan ~

Released 23rd January 2005, © Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church, Singapore