“My tongue will speak of your righteousness
and of your praises all day long.”
Psalm 35:28
Whatever is in our hearts and on our minds will most likely make its way out to our tongues.
If we are planning a vacation, a garage sale, or a family reunion—we talk about it. If we are getting a child ready for college, preparing for vacation Bible school, or shopping for a new washing machine, those things may dominate our conversations.
When David declares, “My tongue will speak of your righteousness,” it’s a powerful ancient-world call to us in modern day … a call to join in. And it’s a declaration not just whispered in the morning during our intimate quiet time with God, but is to be declared to those in our sphere of influence — all day long.
Let’s evaluate honestly whether you and I tell our families, the women we mentor, and those in our friend group: God is righteous!
Does even the thought of doing so sound and feel a bit “awkward” (borrowing a word my millennial daughter uses to describe anything uncomfortable)?
Does it feel almost fanatical to even consider doing so?
Perhaps you and I are more comfortable telling others:
- God loves you!
- God is merciful!
- God’s grace is unending!
All those statements are true. Absolutely. Unequivocally.
Only a loving, merciful God would endure the pain and shame of the cross to pay the debt He didn’t owe. But the reason He was an acceptable offering is His righteousness.
He is holy.
He is righteous.
He is great.
He is mighty to save.
Have you declared His righteousness lately? Have you spoken of it out loud? Have you proclaimed it to others?
In last week’s Sunday Soaking, we challenged one another to thank Him for His righteousness. This week we are going a step further, with a challenge to proclaim it out loud.
Wives, daughters, mothers, grandmothers: let it begin with us!
By declaring His righteousness (as well as His love), we share the truth about the nature of God. And that truth might make — most likely will make — some people uncomfortable.
And guess what? It should make every one of us uncomfortable, because it should call and convict us of our own unrighteousness.
Focusing on God’s love is good. It is powerful and reassuring. But the same should also be true of His righteousness. As we worship and adore Him, as we serve Him, as we learn more of Him and grow closer to Him, we will be conformed to His image.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Am I more loving than five years ago, twelve months ago, or a week ago?
- Am I more righteous than five years ago? Twelve months ago? A week ago?
Choosing to proclaim love sounds positive and encouraging and acceptable. Choosing to do the same with God’s righteousness seems to invite labels like holier-than-thou, fanatical, or legalistic.
It’s not that we are perfect; we know that’s impossible. But neither do we celebrate, rationalize, or whitewash our sin (or the sin of others). Sin must be confessed. We mourn it and turn from it. We ask the Holy Spirit both to convict us, and to allow us to go forward in freedom from the bondage sin brings.
At the end of the day — and, most assuredly, at the end of time — it matters not what you or I think, dear sister friend. What truly matters is what God says. Sin is sin because of God’s timeless truth … not because you and I make a list, or have a vote on what does and does not belong on that list. The Bible is our plumb line, not cultural norms, man-made laws, or the latest trend in media or our social circles.
We are living in a world where anything goes, truth is up for a vote, and absolutes are not tolerated. Of even greater concern and alarm: the lies are coming from those who profess faith in Christ, not just the unbelievers.
Ignore the noise. Tune out the voices of our culture. Pay attention to what the Bible proclaims.
We must love our family members enough to tell them the truth. We must love our neighbor enough to tell her the truth.
When each of us steps out of time and into eternity, knowing the truth is what preserves and saves us.
Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
(John 14:6)
Do you know Jesus? Do you proclaim His love and His righteousness … all day long?
Ask your Heavenly Father for the courage and confidence to share His truth with those you encounter each day: God loves you just like you are – but He loves you too much to leave you there.
Rise up, sisters! The road ahead for us — and certainly for our babies and grandbabies — is growing more rocky with every passing day. It’s time to buckle up and put on the armor our Savior has provided. Are you wearing your belt of truth and your breastplate of righteousness? (Ephesians 6:10-20)
If we know the truth, we must proclaim the truth. How can you commit to speaking of His righteousness all day long today?
This week we wrapped up our ladies’ Bible study in I Corinthians. Paul packs a lot into chapter 16, as he encourages believers to:
- Stand guard
- Stand firm
- Be courageous
- Be strong
- Give
- Refresh others
We hope you are moved by these words from Laura, as we present the final teaching video in our I Corinthians study.
It’s not too late to join us for the final days of March, as we prepare our hearts for Easter by reading, writing, and studying verses about righteousness. We invite you to visit our Downloads page, where you’ll find our Write the WORD bookmark, corresponding S.O.A.P. Bible study outline, and other resources to help you love God and love His WORD!
