Psam112 - Even in darkness

Read: Psalm 112 vs 1-10

The word ‘righteous’ is a word that doesn’t have overly positive overtones to it. When we hear it we think of people who are ‘self-righteous’, people who think they are good and who look down on others. In the Bible we read that, taken on their own merits, there is actually no-one who is righteous before God (Romans 3:10). Righteousness comes not through what we do but through what Jesus has done on the cross, righteousness comes as a gift through faith in Jesus (Romans 4:5), we can neither nor deserve it.

However, that doesn’t mean how we live is unimportant. The Bible teaches than we have received this ‘righteousness’ of Christ we will want to live in a ‘righteous’ way. Wanting to live a righteous life becomes evidence that are truly trusting in Jesus. 

So, in today’s Psalm (112) we find a description of the righteous person, someone who reflects God’s grace and compassion in their lives (compare Psalm 112:4, describing the righteous person, and 111:4 describing God). The righteous live in a covenant relationship with God. This relationship does not exempt them from the ‘darkness’ (vs 4) that often comes over this world, but it makes the darkness different:

‘Even in darkness light dawns for the upright’ (vs 4)

‘Surely the righteous will never be shaken’ (vs 6)

This picture of the righteous person steadily making their way through life is an incredible picture of someone not afraid to keep going into each new day:

‘They will have no fear of bad news;

Their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear’ (vs 7-8).

The wicked (vs 10) are those whose lives is focused on themselves, the righteous are outward looking and even when they can get nothing back they are focused on others (vs 9). The twist is of course that being practically concerned with the needs of others gets us in line with the way does God things, and in that place we find Him with us and giving us strength to live not only our own lives, but to live with others in our hearts.

Prayer: Father sometimes I am tired and I feel low on energy. Give me strength to think about the needs of others. Help me to make a difference in someone else’s life today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.