RECALL HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS
I will praise Your mighty deeds, O Sovereign LORD. I will tell everyone that You alone are just. O God, You have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things You do.
Psalm 71:16-17 (NLT)
When I was a child, my grandmother often shared stories of how God had been faithful to our family. I remember sitting on her porch, listening to tales of how God provided during hard times, healed in moments of sickness, and guided us through life's uncertainties. She spoke of God's righteousness with such certainty, as if each story was a fresh reminder of His unwavering goodness. Those stories shaped my understanding of God and instilled a desire to know Him more.
Growing up, my grandparents were really the only believers in my life. Something that I didn't fully appreciate then was spending the night with them on Saturdays and going to church with them on Sunday mornings. In addition to having cable television, my grandparents had something I couldn't find anywhere else. Rich stories of God's faithfulness throughout their six decades of life. They lived through multiple wars and monumental moments but were always quick to see the hand of God in their lives. It's only now, as a grown man and parent, that I fully appreciate the depth of the gift they gave me.
Psalm 71 is a beautiful reminder of the importance of recalling and proclaiming God's righteousness. In his older age, the psalmist reflects on how God had been his teacher and guide from his youth. The righteous acts of God had been evident throughout his life, and now, even in his later years, he continues to declare God's marvelous deeds.
Recalling God's righteousness is not just an exercise in memory but an act of faith. When we remember how God has acted in the past, we anchor ourselves in His unchanging nature. This gives us confidence in the present and hope for the future. It also encourages others who may be struggling to see God's hand in their own lives.
APPLICATION: Who in your life has witnessed the goodness of God? Are you open to hearing them recall His righteousness, graciousness and mercy throughout the years? Seek someone out who can bless you in this way.
PRAYER: God, thank You for how You have moved through the years, not just in my life but in the lives of so many others. Help me never lose sight of You in the midst of a world full of distractions. In Jesus' name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?