Righteousness

I went to a worship night with a friend yesterday and spent a lot of time reading Psalm 37.  The passage spoke about the rewards for the righteous.  The Lord really spoke to me through the scriptures, the worship songs, and the prayers of the people around me as I sat in His presence for a couple hours.  The following is the raw journal of my reflection... I'll try and edit it for confusion, but please just take it as it is... 

Righteousness is not based on perfectionism.  No, it instead comes from a relationship with and respect of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The righteous do not earn their salvation - it is given, a gift from the Lord God Almighty.  One is not qualified as righteous simply by his actions. 

Righteousness begins in the heart.  The righteous one delights first and foremost in the Lord, in His desires, and commits to following his way, however it may differ from the individual's thoughts and self-driven goals.  The righteous one spends time with the Lord the Savior, demonstrating patience - waiting for the Lord's plan and words to come.  Peace is granted to the righteous one who is still before the Lord.  Trust in the Lord and righteousness rains down out of the floodgates of heaven.

The righteous live for a cause - a just and holy cause to further the kingdom of the Holy Lord God Almighty.  Trust is shown in the act of doing good.  Hope of the righteous is rooted in the trust of the Lord God Almighty's perfect, holy plan.  Hope brings an inheritance, on immersed in the glory of the Lord.  Righteousness brings peace, beautiful peace.  Characterized by meekness... the righteous are humble, lowly in spirit.  Jesus Christ the Lord was righteous - meek and humble in spirit.  The righteous one is slow to anger, turning away from wrath and bitterness.

Rest for the righteous comes in the presence of the Lord God Almighty... the loving, holy presence of God's Holy Spirit.  Peace, love, and victory are in the presence of God.

The righteous show no shortage of generosity; and because of their free-giving spirit, the Lord never forsakes them.  They are well-cared for, never hungry or in need.  Their generosity comes from the free gift of Jesus Christ's salvation - his sacrifice.  The righteous one can do nothing but give to others in response to his amazing rescue.

What is the land that the righteous inherit?  It is the presence of the Lord of Glory, full of abundance and grace.  A land of peace, one where there is rest for the weary soul.  The righteous desires nothing more than to be in the inheritance - in the presence of His glory.  

One who is righteous does not speak lightly nor rashly.  Instead, the words that come from his mouth are full of wisdom, peace, and healing for those who hear.  The words bear the good news of Christ in every syllable.  They speak of the devoted love of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The righteous know the law of God, the precious words of scripture - they are written on his heart so that he will not falter.

The power of the Lord rests upon the righteous, equipping his hands to do the good work of the Father and bring healing to the nations.  One who is righteous does not rely on shortcuts or the easy way out.  He waits for the Lord to fall down upon his heart... the righteous wait for the Lord to use them to heal and bring a new vision and dream to the broken and lost. 

The Lord is the stronghold of the righteous; she relies on him alone for help in times of trouble.  The righteous take refuge in the Lord and He helps.