God’s Attributes 9
“The Righteousness of God”
Pastor David Moore
Two ways to know God:
1. God exists should be obvious to all because all can see the world, the heavens, and the way it all works.
2. We know God through what He has said in Psalm 19.
Old Testament reading: Psalm 19:1‐14
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and Redeemer.
The law of God is an expression of His righteousness which becomes God’s leveling device for the world. God’s law tells us what is true and what is not true. He tells us what is right or wrong. It impels us to make good decisions.
And because it is an expression of love, it is nourishment for our souls. ~D. Moore
We measure everything by God and His character and what He says is the law. ~D. Moore
“What we need is a return to normalcy in our country, meaning not just to consensual politics and rational economics but to a civil society functioning on the basis of shared moral values. Moral confusion under communism was accompanied by an utter confusion of values and their meaning at all levels of societal activity. People thought nothing of cheating and stealing. There was no faith to lean on since religion and belief in God were considered outdated and unscientific. This state of mind is reminiscent of Dostoevsky’s character Ivan Karamazov who exclaimed, ‘If God does not exist, everything is permitted.’ The whole history of mankind has proven that without God of a higher moral authority the things most precious to us humans are often denied us. Because it is our nature that for true achievement and emotional fulfillment, we need a higher intensity of purpose than everyday concerns can provide. Despite all this I look to the future of our people with great optimism. Why? There is a new and intense striving of many Bulgarians, especially younger generations, to find the moral foundations of their existence and to rediscover age‐old values and ideals. There is a renewed interest in religion, the church and spirituality in general.” “This was much more than a political revolt. This was a revolt of the soul against soullessness. It may be followed by spiritual enlightenment and a new higher moral imperative.” ~The Prime Minister of Bulgaria
To delight in the law of the Lord is to find our source of joy outside of ourselves. ~Dillon Burroughs
1 Peter 2:24
“He himself bore our sins” in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by His wounds you have been healed.”
God loves us and is guiding us through His laws and is changing us through the law, so we would delight in it, it is good for our soul. ~D. Moore
This week: read Psalm 19 each day and let the significance of this passage sink into your heart and mind.
God bless.