Meditation
THE PRACTICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Text: Psalm 16
23 January 2022
MANY WORTHWHILE THOUGHTS
How does one practise righteousness? Psalm 16 offers many worthwhile insights. We have a good long list of things to ponder over.
- Praying and trusting
a) This is what the righteous will practise
b) This was how Psalm 16 began
(With a prayer and expression of trust in God)
“Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.” Psalm 16:1
- Relating to the LORD
a) Speaking to the LORD
b) Declaring faith in God
2 O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.” Psalm 16:2
i) A declaration of a personal faith in God
ii) A statement of dependence on God
- Commitment to be faithful to God
a) The Psalmist David was a rare king who never worshipped an idol
b) This was his declaration of faithfulness to God
4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god;
Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,
Nor take up their names on my lips. Psalm 16:4
i) He would never hasten to worship and idol
ii) He would never offer offerings to any idol
iii) He would not even mention their names
iv) To worship anyone else but the LORD was unthinkable
- Appreciation of God in life
- a) David expressed great appreciation of God
- b) He had this to say!
5 O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot.
6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance. Psalm 16:5-6
i) The LORD was his portion and cup
ii) God maintained his lot in life
iii) The LORD has given him a good inheritance
OUR CHALLENGE
Let us learn how we may practise righteousness in our life. May we emulate the example of the Psalmist David!