The writers of the Bible persistently remind their readers that they worship a God who calls his worshipers to mirror him and to live according to the values that he exemplifies in his actions and commands. We do not worship a capricious God, but one who acts consistently based on values that he has articulated and that in some cases may be inferred from how his creations work. The Psalmist writes,
"You are righteous, LORD, and your laws are right. The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are full trustworthy.
The apostle Paul affirms the righteousness of God in the New Testament. He states that God's attributes may be seen in his creation and the message of Christ, the good news or gospel, reveals his righteousness. He says,
"For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed - a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written, 'The righteous will live by faith...what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse" (Romans 1:17).
Paul cites visible evidence in creation as clues to the nature of God. Idolatry (substitution of animals, stars, moon, son, humans, human constructions, etc. for God) and immorality are rebellion against God, his values, and his commands. Paul also affirms a few paragraphs earlier that humans may communicate gratitude and requests to God through prayer when he tells Roman Christians of his prayers to God on their behalf. Paul's prayers and beliefs about God align with the prayers and beliefs of the Psalmist who prays in Psalm 119:137-144.
The Psalmist unveils his characteristics as a faithful worshiper of a righteous God. He identifies himself as a servant of God who combats "opponents" of God. The combat is intense. He contends for God zealously, exhausting himself in the process. The opponents disregard God's commands and despise those like the Psalmist who obey them. Nevertheless, he persists, because God's commands, like the Lord himself, are righteous and because the commands give him joy. God's way works. The worshiper can rely on their trustworthiness. The Psalmist prays,
"My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words. Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts. Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true. Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight. Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live" (Psalm 119:139-144).
The zeal of the Psalmist challenges apathy to or tolerance of evil. How can we identify as followers of God if we do not defend his values or incarnate them in ourselves? God emerges in the prayer as a God of justice and ethics. God is trustworthy; he speaks truth. His instructions for life not a legalistic burden. They are consistent with reality. Life works better when aligned to them. In our time, we experience confusion and frustration when it seems that our choices are between immorality and injustice, both salted with falsehood. I think that our prayer needs to echo the Psalmist's final cry,
"Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live" (Psalm 119:144).
God does not call us to defend political ideologies or economic models. He calls us to be like him and to listen to Jesus (Luke 9:35). The path will not always be easy, and like the Psalmist, we may experience trouble and distress, but we also will discover joy in our lives when we align ourselves with the will of our Creator.
- Quotations are from the New International Version of the Bible.
Righteous God, you call us to be like you. Voices call out to us from our societies, challenging us to ignore your commands, or to choose to defend some vigorously while denying others. May we listen for your guidance from your Word. Give us wisdom that we may discern the path to follow and the traps that we must avoid. You have shown us love and joy in your Creation that surrounds us. May that love and joy fill us as we echo your own love in our actions towards those whom we meet. Some of us have suffered abuse and pain. Others have been tempted to compromise. Give us strength of resolve and ignite our zeal once more that we may be the servants that you desire. I pray in the name of Jesus, amen.
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