The Heart of the Righteous | Ep. 145

It's always a pleasure . It's always a privilege to be in the midst of you and in front of you and that God would choose me and allow me to minister to you . I consider it an honor , and so I pray that your hearts are open , not to the things , particularly that I say , but basically the word of God . I want you to be open to the word of God .

I want you to even hear the Lord as I speak , when he's speaking to you directly and it's not through my voice .

That's the most important thing that we need to have as these latter days come to an end is that we can hear his voice , that we can clearly discern what it is that he is saying for our particular season in life , for the people that are around us . So today's focus is the heart of the righteous .

I don't want to feel like I'm just going to machine gun through this and I kind of feel like it might , but I'm going to have a lot to say in the midst of it . But I want to read through the scriptures and treat it like it is a mirror . I want it to see .

Does it reflect us when we read through these scriptures when we focus on this aspect of what is the heart of the righteous , and if we , and if it does reflect what is in our lives , then praise God , we are on the right track .

But if it does not , then let's ask the Lord to deal with us in these areas , to strengthen and fortify us , because it is the heart of the righteous that the Lord is after . And so I'm going to start in a Psalm of David . It's going to be chapter 25 .

And , like I said , we're going to read through a lot of scriptures and I might skip over some , and I'm not trying to minimize the importance of other scriptures , but I'm trying to stay focused . It's almost like a word study the righteous .

I want to see what does the Lord say the righteous is , or who the righteous are , what are their characteristics , what are their attributes , what makes them righteous in God's sight ? And so I start with David , who said in Psalm 25 , to you , o Lord , I lift up my soul , oh , my God . And I think these next four words is the foundation of the righteous .

I trust in you . Within the heart of the righteous there is a foundation . Most assuredly it is Jesus Christ , but it is because you trust in Jesus that it makes you and your heart righteous in his sight . It's a very basic element of the righteous . I trust in you .

He goes on to say let me not be ashamed , let my enemies triumph over me , let no one who waits on you be ashamed . I'm pulling out , I'm trying to pull out attributes to you . The righteous have a heart that trusts in him . The righteous have a heart to wait . Yes , the enemy is around me .

Yes , the enemy is persecuting me , but they have a heart to wait , not to retaliate , not to take vengeance , but to wait on the Lord , because they know deep down inside that those who wait on the Lord will never be ashamed . Let those who be ashamed to deal treacherously without cause . This is another aspect .

Right here is the next heart of the righteous . In verse 4 , show me your ways , o Lord . Teach me your path , lead me in your truth and teach me , for you are the God of my salvation . The heart of the righteous has a heart to be taught . It has a heart to be led .

It's not one who has a heart initially to want to teach everybody what they need to do or want to lead everybody where they need to go . The initial heart of the righteous is to be taught of the Lord , is to be led of the Lord in truth . So it is a heart that is ready to be taught , to be corrected , to be led .

And again he says on you , I wait all the day . That's a humble heart . The heart of the righteous is humble , wanting to be taught , wanting to learn , wanting to be led . These are the things that the heart of the righteous desires . Another thing that the righteous seem to do is that they remember the things that God has done for them .

Not only do they remember the things that God has done for them , they remember the things that God has done for others in the faith , their ancestors in the faith , not just in the word , but also in their families . It says remember , o Lord , your tender mercies , your loving kindness , for they are from old .

It is a description of a righteous man who remembers all of the things from even the old times that the Lord has done in mercy and in loving kindness . He doesn't forget those things because , remember , even the Israelites in the wilderness forgot all of the mighty works that their God did them .

Forgot how he opened the Red Sea , forgot how there was a pillar of fire separating the enemy for them . Forgot all the 10 plagues that did not touch one of them . They forgot these things . But the righteous don't .

The righteous remember , and they want the Lord to remember all of the righteous deeds and ask for them , and they trust that he will do so again . He says very clearly don't remember the sins of my youth , forget him , forget him . He wants the Lord to forget the sins of his youth . Don't remember my transgressions .

But he relies and he trusts on the Lord's mercies . According to your mercy , remember me . Mercies According to your mercy , remember me For your goodness sake . He's depending upon the Lord's goodness to judge him . He's depending upon the Lord's goodness to take care of him , and so he trusts .

You see , these elements , these aspects of I trust in you , good and upright , is of the Lord . Therefore , he teaches sinners in the way and here's where I said the humble he guides in justice . The heart of the righteous is a humble heart and the Lord is throughout the earth , to and fro seeking the righteous , He's seeking those of a humble heart .

He's seeking those of a broken and contrite heart . He will not despise , no , he seeks after them . And the humble He teaches His way . Why ? Because the humble have a heart to be taught . They have a heart to be led . They have a heart that they're not speaking all the time . They're actually quietly listening , waiting silently . Lord , what does the Lord say ?

What is the Lord leading me ? All of the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth . He recognizes that the Lord's way is the only way . It is the only way of righteousness , it is the only way of truth , it is the only way of godliness , of holiness . It is the only acceptable way . And he remembers that .

He keeps his covenant and he keeps his testimony to the righteous . Again , he's always remembering , he does not forget the goodness of the Lord . He goes on to say to pardon my iniquity . But in verse 12 he says who is the man that fears the Lord ? Him shall he teach in the way he chooses ? The heart of the righteous are those that fear the Lord .

And those that fear the Lord is whom God teaches . Because the heart of the righteous is to be taught , is to be led , it says . It goes on to say that those who fear the Lord shall dwell in prosperity . Their descendants shall inherit the earth .

The secret , the secrets , the nuggets of truth , the mysteries are with those that fear him and he will show them his covenant . Those that fear him are the heart of the righteous , it says in verse 15, . This is another aspect of the heart of the righteous . My eyes are ever toward the Lord , no matter what is going on in life .

And we've sung of so many songs directing our hearts , directing our minds , directing our thoughts unto the Lord . And some of us come here with a lot of baggage and in the midst of it , the heart of the righteous . Their eyes are ever toward the Lord , their eyes are ever looking up to their salvation . It says in verse 20 , for I put my trust in you .

He says in verse 21, . I wait for you . Redeem me , o Israel , out of all of their troubles . So he's waiting on God to deliver , on God to rescue . In verse 32 , another Psalm of David saying Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven , whose sin is covered .

Yes , blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity and whose spirit there is no deceit . This is whom the Lord blesses . When I kept silent . My bones grew old through my groaning all the day long , for day and night . Your hand was heavy upon me . My vitality was turned into the drought of summer . Why would David be talking like this ?

David had the heart of the righteous , but if you know David's life , he fell . And in the midst of his despair he's saying that , lord , your hand was heavy upon me , there was a weight on me . I know that the man is blessed if his sins are forgiven , but see , in that moment David was dealing with his sins and the weight became unbearable .

He was guilty and he knew it . And in the midst of that , this is what the heart of the righteous does . He doesn't wallow in self-pity . He doesn't make excuses . He doesn't blame anybody else for the guilt of his own sins . He turns to the Lord and he says I acknowledge my sin to you and my iniquity I hide no more . And my iniquity I hide no more .

I said I will confess my transgressions to the Lord . This is what the heart of the righteous do . They don't run away from God when they sin , but they turn to him in brokenness , in contriteness of heart , and they confess and acknowledge that what they've done is wrong in his sight . And what does God do when the heart of the righteous turns to him ?

When they fall in , God forgives the iniquity , God forgives the sin . Continuing in verse six everyone who is godly , it says , shall pray Another aspect of the heart of the righteous they pray .

They continue to pray , they continue to seek after him , because their eyes are ever toward the Lord , no matter whether they're blessed with wealth and riches , no matter whether they've been stripped all from him , their eyes are ever toward the Lord . It is as if they have an internal radar that is beeping , beeping , beeping , beeping . For where is the Lord ?

Where is the Lord ? I continue to seek after him . The righteous says you , not wealth , not riches , not this roof , not my car , not my employment . He says you are my hiding place . You shall preserve me from trouble . Not the money I need to get out of my financial fix , Not the employment , not my prowess , not my warrior-like capabilities .

But you , oh Lord , deliver me out of my trouble and you surround me with songs of deliverance . I continually sing unto you , because what is the basis ? I trust in you , and so I continue to sing songs of deliverance . Yes , oh Lord , you will deliver me from my situation , from my calamity . Whether it be my doing , or you've brought it upon me .

You will deliver me . And what does the Lord say in response to all that that David is just crying out to him about ? He says I will instruct you , I will teach you in the way that you should go . I will guide you with my eye . This is what I will do for the righteous heart . But he says don't be like the horse , don't be like the mule .

They don't have understanding . They have to be harnessed with a bitten bridle . Don't be like that . But he who trusts in the Lord , my mercy shall blanket him , shall surround him . He will not be touched . Any weapon formed against him , I will not be touched . Any weapon formed against him . I will not allow to prosper . So be glad in him , rejoice in him .

You righteous , shout for joy . All you , upright in heart . The righteous says in this , in the heart , in Psalm 73 , verse 25 . Who have I in heaven but you ? There is none upon the earth that I desire besides you . Deep in the heart of the righteous is a longing , a yearning , an intense desire that can only be satisfied by the Lord .

And they direct all of their efforts after him , recognizing that there's nothing he can have on this earth that will satisfy Him . It is only the Lord . Who am I in heaven , but you ?

There's nothing on this earth that I desire , not the academics , not the knowledge , not the wisdom , not the fame , not the wealth , not the material things , nothing on this earth that I desire , you . My flesh , my heart .

They fail , but God , you are the strength of my inner man , you are the strength of my heart , you are my inheritance , my portion forever , because anything I have in this world is temporal . But if I have you , I have you forever . You are my inheritance forever .

The Levites didn't know how good they had it when all they had to do was serve him . He was their inheritance forever . But it is good for me to draw near to God . The heart of the righteous constantly desires to draw near to God , and I know it's hard in this day and age , but it was just as hard in their day and age .

They had enough things in this world to distract them , to dissuade them . I want to be the best . What's that thing called Slingshot ? And I'm sure they battled with each other on who be the best . And I'm sure when the archers came around , they battled for who's the best , who's the best swordsman , who's the best fighter , who's the best runner .

And they fought for all of these things . But the righteous , when they considered all of the things of this world , they come to realize that only the Lord satisfies me . There's always somebody better . You just haven't run into him yet . They say Michael Jordan was the best .

There's always somebody better , maybe not in his life , but there's always somebody better to come . So the heart of the righteous draws near to God , because again I have put my trust in the Lord . God , it says in Psalm 140 , the righteous shall give thanks to your name .

In verse 13 , the upright shall dwell to your name and verse 13 , the upright shall dwell in your presence . In Psalm 141 , david says Lord , I cry out to you Make haste to give me or make haste to me . I'm crying out to you . This is how I draw near to you , because if I don't cry out to you , what am I doing ? I'm neglecting you , I'm ignoring you .

I cry out to you because I'm drawing to you . Now , make haste , come to me . Come to me , give ear to my voice , give ear to my cry , let my prayer , even my prayer . The heart of the righteous is praying and he desires that his prayer be a fragrant incense , an aroma , lifted up into the throne room of God , lifting up his hands as an evening sacrifice .

Now , these are just some general descriptions and attributes of the heart of the righteous . I've given several . Maybe you're writing them down . If you'd like , I'll send you all the scriptures . You can find them yourself . Figure out what are the attributes that make the heart of the righteous righteous and then ask yourself do I have this in my life ?

Is this working in my life right now ? Am I constantly seeking after him ? Am I constantly crying out to him ? Do I draw near to him when things start creating a turmoil around me ? Is he the first that I turn to , or do I immediately try to go fix the situations on my own ?

Do I immediately go , try to help from a friend , or am I turning to him , asking him lead me , teach me , guide me ? What do I do ? Where do I go ? How do I take care of this ? Because I know that , in the end , you are the one that delivers me out of my troubles . I come to find out , as I do this study , that the righteous go willingly .

That's the key . They go willingly through the gate . What gate do I refer to ? In Psalm 118 , verses 18 ? It says the Lord chastened me severely , but he has not given me over to death . If you didn't know . The righteous are chastened . The righteous are corrected . They have a heart to be corrected .

And then look what it says the heart of the righteous responds to the chastening , responds to the correction , with open to me the gates of righteousness , I will go through them . It is a heart to do what's right . He has a heart to walk in the ways of righteousness , asking open up the gates . Where is it ? Where is it ? Where is the righteousness ?

Show me the way and I will go through it . And then it says this is the gate of the Lord . The way of righteousness is the gate of the Lord , and the righteous shall enter . He goes on to say I will praise you , for you have answered me and have become my salvation .

There , if you haven't noticed , there seems to be a dialogue going on between the righteous and their God . They're crying out , they're asking for things and God is answering . I will do this . I will teach you the way . I will show you the way . I will open up the gates . I will show you salvation . I am your salvation .

I come to find out also that the righteous , they wait for God alone . They're not waiting for their next paycheck . They're not waiting for the next increase in pay . They're not waiting for the next better job . They're not waiting for the next thing that they can bring into their house the better TV , the better cable , the better internet .

They're not waiting for any of that . They wait for God alone .

It says in Psalm 62 , verse 5 , my soul waits silently for God alone . My expectation is from Him . Everything that I expect , everything that I desire , I expect to get it from him , not from anything else , because my eyes are ever toward the Lord . There's nothing in this world that satisfies me . There's nothing in this world that I desire , but you .

I'm showing you the parallel thoughts of these verses in different places in the scriptures . The righteous confess he alone is my rock . The righteous say he alone is my salvation , he alone is my defense . I shall not be moved . I will not move from this place . I will not move from my faith in him . I will trust in you . I shall not be moved .

In God is my salvation , in God is my glory , in God is the rock of my strength , my refuge . Everything that I need is in God alone . And it says in verse 8 , I trust in him at all times , come what may I lose my job , I lose my house , I lose my children , I lose my friends , I lose my position , I lose my car , I lose family .

I trust in him at all times . It doesn't matter what happens . I will not be moved , says the righteous . So pour out your heart before him . God is a refuge for us . It says in Psalm 37 , the Lord loves justice . He does not forsake his saints . They are preserved forever . The descendants of the wicked shall be cut off .

The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever . But what comes out of the mouth of the righteous is wisdom . The mouth of the righteous speak wisdom and his tongue talks of justice . Why ? Because he said from the very beginning . I said he wants to be taught , he wants to be led in truth , he wants to be guided by him .

And so what happens in verse 31 . The law of God is in his heart . It is the law of God that is a bedrock in his heart , and the law of God is none other than his word . The law of God , the word of God is in his heart . None of his steps shall slide . The wicked may seek to slay the righteous , but the Lord will not leave him in his hand .

He will not condemn him , he will not judge him . And it says again , to reiterate wait on the Lord and keep his way . Wait on him and don't move . If you're walking in righteousness , don't move . I'm coming to deliver you . I'm coming to take care of your situation . Don't move from it . Stay in the way of righteousness .

I opened the gate of righteousness to you . You willingly walked in . Now don't leave , don't move from there . I'm coming , I'm coming , says the Lord . It says in Psalm 123 that the psalmist lifts up his eyes Again . His eyes are ever toward the Lord . He lifts up his eyes .

He looks to the one who dwells in the heavens Like a servant looks up at his master's hand like a maid looks up at the hand of his mistress , to receive what Direction ? Blessing , honor , instruction . This is the way that our eyes need to look up to the Lord , our God , and you continue to look up to the Lord , your God .

And you continue to look up to the Lord , your God , until he bestows his mercy on you , the mercy of deliverance , the mercy of provision , the mercy of blessing . Because you realize , the heart of righteous realizes that he must so trust in the Lord and his mercy and his goodness and his loving kindness , because he realizes I am not worthy .

There's nothing I could do to say to the Lord . I deserve this . Look at what happened to Job . All through the 30 , some odd chapters of Job , I want to sit down with the Lord and I want to have a conversation with him , because I think he made a mistake . I haven't done anything wrong . Why did I lose my children ? Why did I lose my belongings ?

Why am I suffering boils off from head to toe ? Why , why , why , Lord , you made a mistake . No , the heart of the righteous realizes and Job got this later on he realizes I'm not worthy . And so the heart of the righteous just buries his nose , his mouth , his face into the dust of the earth and says Lord , have mercy on me .

Because , no matter what I do , I'm not worthy of your blessings . So I rely upon you , my God , upon your mercies and your loving kindness , to extend your mercy to me . So our eyes look to the Lord , our God , until he has mercy on us . In verse 3 , have mercy on us , o Lord , have mercy on us .

It says again Another thing that the righteous does they seek his face . They seek his face , his glory . They seek him , Not what he can do for them . They seek Him . In Psalm 27 , verse 4, . One thing I have desired of the Lord , that one thing I will seek that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life . To what ? To behold ?

His beauty . There's something in the heart of the righteous that is satisfying in beholding the beauty of his God . To inquire where , in his temple , in his presence , in the midst of his assembly For in the time of trouble , he shall hide me .

In his pavilion , in the secret place of his tabernacle , he shall hide me , he shall set me high upon the rock and my head shall be lifted up above mine enemies all around me . Therefore, I will offer sacrifices of joy . Where , in His tabernacle , in His presence , I will sing , yes , I will sing praises to the Lord .

He is worthy , I recognize it , I realize it . These are the things that I will do . The heart of the righteous says Hear , o Lord . Like David said , hear , hear , hear when I cry with my voice . Have mercy also upon me and answer me . Even God answering him , he realizes , is through his mercy , because the Lord is not obligated to answer anyone .

So he relies , he trusts in him and his mercy to be extended to him . And God says in verse 8 , and God says in verse 8 , seek my face . And how does the righteous respond ? Your face , o Lord , will I seek . The heart of the righteous is ready and willing to do whatever God says . Show me the way , lead me , teach me .

And when he speaks , he does Seek my face . Lord , I will seek your face . Do not hide your face from me . Do not turn your servant away in anger . You have been my help . Do not leave me .

Do not forsake me , o God , in my salvation , because you know what , when my mother and my father forsook me , then the Lord took care of me , and so many of us have had one or the other forsake us through divorce , through abandonment , through neglect , through ignorance .

And it was the Lord that was with us all the while , taking care of us and preserving us , that we could be here today to have a healthy relationship with him , amongst the midst of the assembly , and praise him and give him thanks for all that he has done , because it could have been a lot worse .

I could have been out in the streets , I could have been dealing in drugs . I could have been killing people . I could have been in a fornication relationship . I could have had a bunch of kids . Think about where your family came from and all the bad things they did . That was your destiny too , if the devil had his way . But God had mercy on you .

God rescued you from that destiny because he had a plan for you . He had a plan to harm you I'm speaking of the devil and if your family relatives all went through that plan there was a generational curse on the family to bring you there too . I could have been on section eight .

I could have been living in the projects , like much of my family still is Dibbling and dabbling in drugs . Yeah , it's in my family too . I may not look like it right now to you , but it was there , just like I know it's been in a lot of your families .

The heart of the righteous says teach me your way , o Lord , and lead me in the smooth path , in verse 11 . Don't deliver me to my adversaries , don't put me in their hands , oh Lord , because there are many false witnesses that rise up against me . I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord .

There is that underlying principle . I trust in you . I trust in you . 14 , wait on the Lord . There it is again . Wait on the Lord . Be of good courage . He sees building up his faith . Be of good courage and he shall strengthen your heart . Wait , I say , on the Lord . We sing that song in this fellowship . Psalm 105 again , it's about seeking him .

In verse four it says Seek the Lord and his strength , seek his face evermore . Seek the Lord and his strength , seek his face evermore . Here's that remembrance again , remembering his marvelous works which he has done . The righteous remember the things that he has done . How marvelous he was , his wonders , his judgments out of his mouth .

The righteous are the chosen ones . The righteous remember his covenant forever . They remember that his word is forever . They remember that the covenant that he made with Israel is an everlasting covenant and they remember that it applies to them as well , because the covenant was made with Abraham and to his seed , and his seed was Jesus Christ .

And if we have become born again in Christ , then those promises are for us . So we would do well , if we are righteous , to find out what was his covenant , what were the things that he agreed to with Israel . What are the promises that he made with them , israel ? What are the promises that he made with them , because they are yours Now ? remember them .

You see , the righteous seek after him , his face , forever . But if you contrast that with some ideas that were brought out in the new covenant , you would see that it's in direct conflict with what the world seeks after . And the world , I'll say , is divided into two types the Jews and the Gentiles . It says in 1 Corinthians 1.22, .

The Jews seek after a sign , not his face , a sign . You know what the Greeks or the Gentiles seek after Wisdom , philosophy , science . These are the things that they seek after . But the righteous seek after his face , his glory . The Pharisees came to Jesus and they were seeking from him a sign from heaven Prove yourself unto us .

God is not here to prove himself to anybody . Above and beyond whatever he was called to do , he came , he healed the sick , he delivered people from demons , he blessed and he provided food , and that's what he was required to do . And the Pharisees , after seeing all that , Jesus , we seek a sign .

No , Jesus said no , no sign shall be given to you , no sign shall be given to this generation . No , I say .

But you see , after , in Matthew 12 , they came back to him again and they said teacher , we want to see a sign from you again , and he , an adulterous generation , seeks after a sign , and no sign will be given to it , except the sign of the prophet Jonah .

Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights , and so I will be in the belly of the earth three days and three nights , and then you will know . But even then many of them still did not receive , and there were some that actually sought after him . Puts a little twist to it in John 6 , verse 25 .

It says there's someone seeking after him . It says when they found him on the other side of the sea , sounds like a good thing that we're seeking him . They said , rabbi , when did you come here ? And Jesus answered them and said most assuredly I say to you , you seek me .

They were seeking him , but now remember that the word is sharper than any two-edged sword dividing between the soul and the spirit , the joints and the marrow , and Jesus , being the word , judges the intent of their heart . He says you seek me . Outwardly , it looks good , you seek me . But what are you seeking me for ? Because I fed you the other day .

So the motivation of your seeking him is critical . Are you seeking him to be your sugar daddy ? Are you seeking him for what he can be for you or what he can get you or give you ? Or are you seeking him just because you realize who he is ? To realize who God is , to just seek him . He's that valuable , he is that important , he is that worthy .

The Gentiles seek after wisdom . Yes , but it also says that the Gentiles worry . They worry about what they're going to eat , they worry about what they're going to drink , they worry about what they're going to wear .

And it says in Matthew 66 , verse 31 , after these things , all the Gentiles seek , always worried about where they're going to get the things that they supposedly need or want and desire . But you know what your heavenly father already knows the things that you need . So seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness .

The heart of the righteous is ready and willing to say Lord , open up to me the gates of righteousness , I will go through them and the rest will be added unto you when you do that . Paul says to the Colossians righteous people , if you were raised with Christ , seek the things which are above , seek the things that are spiritual .

Remember the righteous in the old covenant . Their eyes are ever toward the Lord . Above , not carnal , not earthly , above , that's all that satisfies them . Christ is seated at the right hand of God , above all . Principality powers , rulers of the darkness , wicked spirits in high places . Their eyes are not on the earth , their eyes are above . That's what Jesus is .

Set your mind on things above . Is that what we're doing ? That's the mirror . Is that what we're doing ? Or are we constantly worried about things on the earth ? You see , in Hebrews it describes the righteous , it says those of the faith , hebrews 11 , right , they all died in the faith , it says , and they didn't receive the promises of God .

But you know what ? They saw the promises afar off on the horizon , in the distance , and they were assured that what God said was true . They embraced it in faith because they never grabbed hold onto the promise in the days of their flesh and they recognized this earthly plane in existence is a throughway , it's a pit stop .

I'm nothing but a pilgrim , I'm nothing but a sojourner , I'm just passing through . I'm not worried about the things of this world or obtaining the things of this world . No , no , no , no , no , no .

For those things who say such things declare plainly that they're seeking a homeland , they're seeking something else , and it's not here , it's not on earth what they seek , because if it was , they would have turned around and gone back to their country . Everyone just would have turned around and said no , no , no , I don't know I'm going back , but he didn't .

And he realized that at the end of his life , even though he had been given a promise and all of these beautiful things , he realized oh , my promise is not found here . It says that all those that died in faith desire something better than what's here .

It says they desire something heavenly , in other words , something above , something not seen in the earth , only seen through the eyes of faith , only seen from a distance . Distance . Then , god , when they responded that way and just said I don't care about the things of the world , I'll forsake them . I want what your word said I see it from a distance .

My God , he turns to the righteous and he smiles , and he is not ashamed to be called their God . That's awesome . You so forsook the world for me that I am not ashamed to be called your God . I am not ashamed to rise up in defense for you . I am not ashamed to preserve you in the midst of all of your enemies . I am not ashamed to be your God .

Oh , yes , I am not ashamed . And so he prepared a city for them , and so he maintains his faithfulness to the word that he gave them . Yes , I have a city for you . It says in Hebrews 13 that the righteous , the faithful . They realize they don't have a continuing city . They don't have a city in the earth that just continues to exist and to perpetuate .

And this is where our pride and nationalistic pride is . But the world does , sectioned off . Americans have their American pride , russians have their Russian pride , germans have their German pride , and they're all prideful about something that's in the earth , but the righteous . That's not their deal .

They forsake it Because they know that there's no continuing city here . They realize that they're waiting for the city , which has a foundation whose builder and maker is God , and God did not do it in the earth , although he called it in the earth First , from heaven . But that new Jerusalem , that new city , is coming from heaven .

It's something that he is doing in the spirit above , in the heavenly . It's just being manifested in the earth , but it's not in the earth . In the heavenly is just being manifested in the earth , but it's not in the earth . The righteous have a heart to submit to God . It says in James 4 that he gives more grace .

It says God resists the proud , but he gives grace to who ? The humble . That's an attribute of the righteous and we've described it in different words . I've said humble maybe once or twice .

But all these descriptions and attributes that are given you are attributes of the humble and therefore they submit to God , they surrender and ready , like we read in the Old Testament scripture teach me your way , o Lord , lead me in the path , show me the truth and I will walk in it . And it says resist the devil and he will flee from you .

But they draw near to God , and when they draw near to God , god draws near to them . He's not ashamed to be called their God , and when they draw near to God , god draws near to them . He's not ashamed to be called their God . He's not ashamed to be close to them . Cleanse your hands , you sinners , and purify your hearts , you double-minded .

I skip to verse 10 . Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord , and God responds . He will lift you up . He will lift you up . It is in God that you find your deliverance . It is in God that you find righteousness righteousness not of your own , but you find his righteousness , and nothing can compare to his righteousness .

It says in Job the righteous hold to his way . We saw that in another scripture . They shall not be moved from the way that the Lord has taught them to go . It says in Proverbs 10 , the wise in heart will receive commandments . In other words , they're teachable . They hear it and receive it . They don't argue with it , they don't wrestle with it .

They simply receive the commandments as it's spoken in . Following line and following suit , it says in 1 John 2 , 1 and 3 , regarding the children of Jesus Christ , the righteous , who was the propitiation for their sins we know him because we keep his commandments . That's the heart of the righteous .

The righteous have a heart to be corrected In Ezekiel 3 , verse 21, . It says to the prophet if you warn the righteous man so that he doesn't sin . And he then ? He doesn't sin , he shall surely live because he was warned . So , righteous men , when they're warned about something that may befall them because maybe they're walking in a certain way , listen .

They listen to the warning and they end up not sinning and they end up living . But that's the attribute of the righteous , that's what they do . It says it in another way in Psalm 141 , verse three through five .

Set a guard , lord , over my mouth . Keep watch over the door of my lips . Do not incline my heart to do any evil thing , to practice wicked works with men who work iniquity , and do not let me eat of their delicacies , verse 5 . He so has a heart for correction that he would rather the righteous strike him .

Let the righteous strike me , it shall be kindness . Let the righteous rebuke me . Don't do that . Be careful where you're going . He wants that . He'd rather be smitten in the cheek . He'd rather be rebuked publicly for what he may go through if he doesn't listen to the Lord . He says , it'll be as excellent oil upon me . Let not my head refuse it .

That's how far the righteous will go so that they remain right in his sight . Do we have that heart that , no matter what Lord . Correct me , let my elder smack me across the head , knock some sense into me . I'll receive it as oil Glad . I'll be glad to receive it . Is that our heart , or do we bow up ? How are you going to say that to me ?

Look at all this good stuff I've done here . Look at how faithful I am here . God tests the righteous . It says in Psalm 7 , verse 9 , for the righteous . God tests the hearts and the minds . He says in Psalm 11 , verse 5 , the Lord tests the righteous .

He says in verse 7 of the same chapter , 11 , for the Lord is righteous , he loves righteousness , his countenance beholds the upright . I didn't quite understand why . I mean , I could make up stuff , make it sound biblical , but this is what the Lord showed me , what these kind of verses meant .

He said think of it like this , son , when you were a father and you were teaching Lydia John Daniel or Deborah how to walk , they weren't supposed to be walking and crawling on all fours . They're supposed to walk upright . But they didn't know that . They didn't realize that . So what did you do ?

You propped them up and you stood them up and you tested them , didn't you ? Not for your sake , because you wanted to show them what they're able to do . You wanted to show them how they're able to walk upright . And what happened ?

When they started taking their first steps and falling , you helped them back up to help them realize you have no idea what you're capable of . Get up . And then they did it again . And they did it again . And what happened ? With your joy ? You joyed over them , didn't you ? Yes , you were clapping oh , yay , you're walking , yay . And everybody got excited .

That's how I am with you . I'm propping you up . I'm propping you up so you can see what I've called for you . You do not know what you're capable of , and so I'm propping you up . I'm so joyous over you being righteous . I have more for you . My countenance shines upon you . I be with exceeding joy when you walk upright . You have no idea .

You have no idea . But there's a glimpse when you were father helping him to walk , or maybe helping him to rollerblade , or maybe helping him to ride a bike , and they didn't realize , and they were so fearful and they were gonna fall to the left or the right . No , no , don't worry , I got you . I got you .

And you're there holding them in the back and running around with them and then they realize they can do it . And that's the joy that he has over you . When you walk in righteousness , you have no idea what you're capable of . That's what he showed me . That's how I understood these scriptures . That's why he tests you .

He's not testing you to cause you to fail . He's testing you to help you realize what you're capable of . The Lord's eyes . The Lord eyes the righteous . The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous , in Psalm 34 , verse 15 . His eyes are on the righteous , his In Psalm 34 , verse 15, . His eyes are on the righteous . His ears are open to their cry .

The righteous cry out , they cry out . They're constantly crying out . Because the righteous understand they're weak and feeble and without God's help helping me up , I might never walk . I may end up crawling all the time the Lord hears . He delivers out of all of their troubles . The Lord is near to who ? The broken heart , verse 18 .

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart . Who else is he near ? The contrite spirit , and he saves those such as have a contrite spirit , and many are the afflictions of the righteous , but the Lord delivers them out of them all . It is the Lord that brings deliverance .

It says in verse 22 , the Lord redeems the souls , or the soul of his servants and none of those who trust in him . Again , it's that foundation block . Trust in you Shall not be condemned . None of those who trust in them shall be condemned . In Psalm 1 , 6 , it says for the Lord knows the way of the righteous , why he taught them .

If the righteous have a heart to be taught , to be led , to be corrected , then their ways are righteous , and so the Lord knows their ways . He taught it to them . It says in 1 Peter , in the New Testament , the New Covenant , quoting from the Old turn away from evil and do good . Let him seek peace and pursue it .

In 1 Peter 3 , verse 11 , for the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous , his ears are open to their prayers . Again , the righteous is constantly crying out , constantly praying , but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil . It says in verse 15 , this is another aspect of the heart of the righteous that we need to consider .

But sanctify the Lord , god , in your hearts . Some of us don't understand the word sanctify . We've got to go in our little dictionary and say well , what exactly does that mean Set apart ? But set apart the Lord , god in your hearts . I was teaching with our kids some devotional recently and this is the way I explained it .

Like you have a bunch of pictures in your living room or we have a bunch of pictures on our fireplace and they're all there and none of them really stands out . You know , there's just a bunch of pictures and stuff . But what if I took this one and I placed it higher , placed it at the top ? Now it's set apart .

Now , when anybody walks in our living room , they're not just going to see a bunch of pictures , what are they going to be drawn to ? The one that's set apart , the one that stands out , the one that's highlighted ?

Well , when you set apart the Lord in your heart , you put him in a preeminent position above all other things , because there are other things , but you place him apart .

He's special , he's beyond special , he's set apart in a preeminent position and then everything else falls in line under it and all the other pictures fall in line under that one picture that you set apart , which is him . And we're always ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and in fear .

I see another aspect of the righteous they are generous . The righteous are generous . It says in Proverbs 21 , 26, . The righteous giveth and spareth not . They just give and spare not . And what gets me is that they're ignorant . When they do this , they don't realize their generosity .

It's very mysterious , but I'm going to show this to you and I'm going to say it in a minute . In Matthew 25 , you remember the parable of the goats and the sheeps ? And he said the goats on the left and the sheeps on the right . Do you remember that ? It was really the great white throne judgment ? It says the king set them on the right .

He said come , you , blessed of my father , inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you from the foundation of the world . Jesus said . For I was hungered in Matthew 25 , 35, . And you gave me meat . I was thirsty and you gave me drink . I was a stranger and you took me in naked and you clothed me . I was sick and you visited me .

I was in prison and you came unto me and the righteous answered him and said Lord , when did I do that ? They're ignorant to their generosity . They had no idea . When they did that to their generosity . They had no idea when they did that .

And then he explains it to them and the king answered and said when you've done it to the least of these , my brethren , you did it to me .

So every kind remark you make to your brethren , every time you do something small , maybe something big , maybe give them a ride , maybe help them out financially , maybe give them a ride , maybe help them out financially , maybe give them some clothes , maybe give them some food , maybe do whatever . That's the kindness and the generosity of the righteous .

Develop that Because that should be in the righteous . They give and spare , not when there's a need . In the Proverbs , just going to go through some scriptures here , the Proverbs just describes some elements of the righteous . Proverbs 10 , 11 , the mouth of a righteous man is a well of life .

In Proverbs 10 , 16 , and 17 , the work of the righteous , the labor of the righteous , tendeth to life . He is in the way of life . That keepeth instruction . Again , the righteous walk in the way because they're instructed and they receive that instruction . It says in chapter 10 , verse 32 , the lips of the righteous know what is acceptable .

It says in chapter 11 , verse 23, . The desire of the righteous remember it's only God alone . There's nothing in this world that I desire but you . The desire of the righteous is only good . 1130 . The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life . The righteous bear forth fruit and it should be a tree of life to the world .

It should be a tree of life to others . In Proverbs 12 5 . The thoughts of the righteous are right . In 12 12 . The thoughts of the righteous are right In 12 , 12, . The root of the righteous yields fruit . It's deep down in the heart of the righteous that causes it to bring forth good fruit , because it's got a good , solid foundation of trust in him .

Because it's got a good , solid foundation of trust in him . In Proverbs 14 , 32, . It says the righteous don't fear death . Why they have hope . He resurrected from the dead and his word says he will also resurrect me . So they , in contrast to others , they have hope . In Proverbs 15 , 28, .

The heart of the righteous I love this one the heart of the righteous , studieth to answer . It's not so quick to answer . No , let me go be a Berean . Let me go back and study this . Let me go find out if the things that are being told to me are true . Let me go back right into the word .

I'm going to study to have an answer when somebody asked me for the hope that I have in him . In verse 29 , he heareth the prayer of the righteous In Proverbs 18 , 10, . The name of the Lord is a strong tower and what do the righteous do ? Run into it . They don't walk , they don't lollygag . They run Because that's who they desire . Do you understand ?

It's such an intense desire to know and have God . Proverbs 21 , 12 . The righteous man wisely considers the house of the wicked . It's not that he doesn't know what's going on in the house of the wicked , it's not that he doesn't know what's going on in the wicked in the world . He just considered and said that's not worth it .

My God is so much more worth than that . I know what they do , I know how they get there . That's not for me . So let me summarize here in closing Psalm 92 , 12 through 15 . Let's just let the scriptures speak for themselves

. I think these scriptures will highlight many , if not all , of the elements that I tried to highlight with you now regarding the righteous Psalm 92 , 12 . The righteous shall flourish . They will be blessed . They will be producing fruit . They will be multiplying Like a palm tree , he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon . Those who are planted where ?

In the house of the Lord . That's where the righteous is found . In the house of the Lord , they shall flourish in the courts of our God . That's where you'll find them . In the courts of our God . They shall bear fruit in old age , in their latter days , they will be bearing fruit and they shall be fresh .

They shall be flourishing so that they can declare , even in their latter days , that the Lord , after all of their experiences , after all of his testimonies , after all the judgments and the wonders and the miracles that he's done in all their existence , at the end of their days they want to declare he is upright , he is truth , he is the rock and there is no

unrighteousness in him . To all the youngins that don't know him . In Hebrews 13 , 15 through 17 , I believe that the righteous continually offer the sacrifice of praise that is the fruit of our lips , giving thanks to his name . The righteous do not forget to do good , they don't forget to share .

These are the sacrifice that God is pleased with and they want to please God . That is the heart of the righteous , and it says that they will obey those that rule over them and they will be submissive Because that's their heart , that is the heart of the righteous . I know it's talking about elders , but the elders are the righteous .

In Psalm 112 , one through nine , praise the Lord . Blessed is the man who fears the Lord , who delights greatly in his commandments . I remember when the Lord was shaking my world and grabbing a hold of me . My mother passed away when I was 20 . And for about a year , year and a half , I was searching for the faith that I thought I had .

And this scripture reminds me that in those early days I remember just delighting in getting in his word and I believe that that really set a foundation in me . That even continued years after when I met my wife , which happened to be three or four years down the line .

It was a continued delighting in his word and all that I delighted and became the real foundation , because I've been this Christian schools all my life .

I had known the word by recognition , by some memorization , but I had not known the word intimately , I had not known Jesus , and those years were spent just digging and getting into the word and getting things out of my life that didn't need to be , and it was that very reason why I stand where I am today , not because of what I did .

It's because God got such a hold of me and I fell so in love with him that I just delighted in his word . It was not a chore for me to get in his word , I just loved it , even though I didn't understand it . I remember just reading through I don't understand what that is , I don't understand what that is , I don't understand this .

And now I just keep on going and I would read , you know , two chapters in the new and three chapters in the old , and somewhere around the day I would read Psalms and that was my thing and I did it . I can't remember how long .

I know it was just a continual getting in his word even though I didn't understand it , and I would just get it , and that became the bedrock of my faith .

So the question is and it's something that was brought up , it's kind of where this whole teaching was coming from , something that was brought up in the men's fellowship how do you impart the importance of that very thing to young people that you actually delight in his word ? I don't know , because no one taught it to me .

It's almost like you falling in love with someone . You can't help but want to be with them . I mean that's what you desire . No one taught you to love that person so that you would have this longing and this yearning and desire . No one taught you to long and yearn and desire for the person that you were interested in .

I don't know what it was , but there was something deep down in your heart that made you do that , that motivated you to do that , and so you sought him . I don't know if that's happened to you . That's what happened to me and I can guarantee you , because I stand here today , that was the best thing I ever did in my life .

The best thing I ever did in my life . It says the generation of the upright will be blessed . His righteousness endures forever . In verse 3 . Verse 5 , a good man deals graciously and lends . He will guide his affairs with discretion . He will never be shaken , and for some of us here , I think that's how we feel .

Oh , I'm never going to be shaken from this , no way . I am leaving God . The righteous will be an everlasting remembrance . I will always remember what the Lord has done for me . He will not be afraid of evil tidings . The righteous heart is steadfast , trusting in the Lord , his heart is established .

He will not be moved , he is not shaken , he will not be afraid , because he knows that his righteousness endures forever . And so I end with this . I could have started with this and this could have been the whole lesson , but I wanted to go through those scriptures to sort of highlight it to you .

But I believe Proverbs 2 , 1 through 11 describes the righteous man .

God says my son , if you receive my words and treasure my commands within you , there has to be something in the heart that , when they hear the word , they treasure it and they hide it within themselves , not because they don't want anybody else to have it , but because it's just so precious , it's just so valuable that they would trade it for nothing in the

world . It says if you incline your ear to wisdom , if you apply your heart to understand , if you cry out for discernment and you lift your voice for understanding , if you seek her as silver and search for her as a hidden treasure , all of these ifs have got to be there .

This is something that only you can do , and you can ask the Lord to bite me with the love bug so that I love you like nothing else in this world . In verse 5 it says then you will understand the fear of the Lord . Then you will find the knowledge of God , because God is storing up wisdom for you .

He's storing up wisdom for the righteous , the upright , and he's a shield to the upright . He defends for you , he protects you , he guards the path of justice , he preserves the way of his saints . Then you will understand righteousness , justice and equity and every good path .

When , when you receive my words , when , when you treasure my commands within you , when , when you incline your ear to wisdom , when , when you apply your heart to understanding , when , when you cry out for discernment , when , when you lift up your voice for understanding , when , when you seek her as silver , as a treasure , that's when these things will happen , not

any other way . This is the way , this is the way of righteousness . It says in verse 10 , when wisdom enters your heart and knowledge is pleasant to your soul . That means when God speaks , whether it's in his word , whether it's audible , whether it's through the instructions of others .

That are the saints , and you treasure the words of God and you want it all and you can't even be satiated . You just want more and more and more . It's at this point that discretion will preserve you and understanding will keep you .

These are the attributes of the heart of the righteous that I pray that , as you read these , you will allow the word to move you , to treasure the precious richness that is found when he speaks to you , when he commands you .

To treasure the precious richness that is found when he speaks to you , when he commands you , when he teaches you , when he leads you , and you desire him above nothing else . Nothing else can be compared to him . Now , I know that and I can teach it to you , but you won't get that until you have a revelation of him .

That's know that and I can teach it to you , but you won't get that until you have a revelation of him . That's all I can say . And that revelation comes by you seeking him . You must seek him with all your heart , with all your soul , with all your mind , with all your strength , and love him , and that is the heart of the righteous Amen .

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