Righteousness

Psalm 7:17

Verse 17  I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.

    Thanksgiving is a day that seems to get lost amongst the Christmas season celebrations as stores push the shopping season earlier and earlier in the year.  As Christians, thanksgiving shouldn’t merely be a day of the year, but a state of heart the whole year through.

    We have so many things to be thankful for and at the top of the list should be the very One who gave us breath.  The more we come to know Him, we will come to know His attributes and character which will give us more to be thankful for.

    The verse above starts out with giving thanks to God because of His righteousness.  That may be something we know about God, but how often do we think about it and what His righteousness should mean to us?  His righteousness speaks of His being just and pure.  His righteousness should remind us of our sinful natures and remind us that left to our own strength and desires, we would not be making righteous choices.

    His righteousness is one of those things we can be thankful for all year long.  He isn’t more righteous at one point of the year than any other.  He never has a bad day where He acts out of selfish motives or a bitter spirit.  He is the same now as He was when David wrote this psalm.  His righteousness is not going to change in the future either.  He will remain righteous throughout eternity.

    Being thankful isn’t just about enjoying what we are given, it is about understanding that it isn’t owed to us.  We often take God for granted.  We tend to think more about what He can do for us than about what He has already done.  As we talk about being thankful this week, let’s remember that all things worthy of thanks come from the hands of a righteous God who loves us and calls us to live in His righteousness.

Making It Personal

    What about God’s righteousness are you thankful for?  How has He shown His righteousness in your life?  Is there a way you could learn to be more aware of His righteousness?

Making It Personal Kids

    What do you think righteousness means?  Are you thankful that God is righteous?  How can you show God you are thankful for His righteousness?

Closing Prayer

    Father, we thank You for who You are.  You are always righteous and always just.  Help us remember Your righteousness and live lives that show we are thankful for it.  In Jesus’ name, amen.