Walk Of Life – Day 22, November 2021 – Give Thanks Unto The Lord For
Give Thanks For His Righteous Laws
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.- Psalm 119:62
Psalmist tells here that at midnight he rises up to give thanks unto the Lord for His righteous judgments. What does it mean? Why is that he has to rise up at midnight. Here more than the literal meaning of midnight it refers to the hardships and troubles that reflect the dark phase of our life. When everything goes wrong there is yet something to be thankful for and one such is for the righteous laws or judgements.
O Lord my God, if I have done this
and there is guilt on my hands–
if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me
or without cause have robbed my foe–
then let my enemy pursue and overtake me;
let him trample my life to the ground
and make me sleep in the dust.
Selah (Psalm 7:3-5)
Why does David pray this way? I think for one simple reason: The “man after God’s own heart” loves the righteous character of His God more than he loves the protection of his name or life.
David will not settle for receiving God’s protection at the expense of God’s righteousness. He’d rather suffer God’s judgment of his guilt than have God be seen as unjust–even when God is judging between David and his enemies.
David calls upon God to awake and decree justice (6b). He calls on God to “rise up against the rage of his enemies,” but in the next breath Israel’s greatest king calls upon God to “Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High.” He is so cautious about the righteousness of God through His righteous judgements. How many unrighteousness he has faced. Though an honorary king he had to live in caves and run in wilderness crying for life. In all circumstances he did not loose heart for the Lord was with Him and His righteous judgements.
It’s because of the righteous judgements of God we need to be very careful as we cannot say any excuse.
Today, I rejoice that God is a just God. He shows no favoritism in His judgments. He isn’t influenced by bribes. He is more than fair in His judgments. As He considers His judgments, He extends His grace and mercy to those who seek it by repentance. He is long suffering hoping that people repent. He sends His messengers to warn people they need to repent. Praise God that His judgments and true and righteous altogether!
“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:9-10).
Dearly beloved. If you are tangled into a very dark phase of your life, don’t do anything to break free but wait on the Lord who executes righteous judgements and he is never late. Thank God for His Righteousness and for His righteous laws.
