BLESSING AND FAVOR TO THE RIGHTEOUS

 

It is one of the characteristics of God that, while he will punish the wicked, he will show favor to the righteous; while he brings deserved punishment upon the one, he will show his favor to the other.

 

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:12).

 

The righteous are recipients of God's favor and protection. 

 

The Psalmist David testifies:

 

"Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield."

-Psalm 5:12

 

Who are the righteous?

 

The righteous are those who live by faith.

 

In Galatians 3:11, we read, “Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’”

 

Here, St. Paul stresses that we are justified or made right before God by faith in Christ.

 

Christians are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), and we walk in faith (2 Corinthians 5:7). Only by faith in Christ are we made righteous (Romans 5:19).

 

It is Christ’s righteousness that saves us, and the only way to receive that gift is to trust in Him. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life” (John 3:36)

FOLLOW THE CLOUD

 

In their journey, God’s people were guided by the cloud which hovered above the Tabernacle, the Tent of Testimony. In the evening this cloud would look like fire.

 

"...And whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out; and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel encamped. At the command of the LORD the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the LORD they encamped; as long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they remained in camp." (Numbers 9:15-18 Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition)

 

Whenever at any time of day or night the cloud moved the people of God would follow Where the cloud stayed, the people stayed encamped. It was a nomadic, wandering life. There was no permanence. The people of God would go to follow the cloud which guided them.

 

God “appointed this cloud to be the visible sign and symbol of His presence” in them. (Matthew Henry)

 

The cloud stayed with them night and day. There was, however, unpredictability in their journey. The people would follow the cloud anytime anywhere they were led. When the cloud stayed and rested the people stayed. Even if at times the people found themselves comfortably settled in one place, when the cloud moved they would also go and follow. They were obedient to God’s will and direction.

 

It was a test of obedience.

 

In our life’s journey God requires our obedience to His will. Israel’s submission and obedience to God as they journeyed to the Promised Land, is a lesson in humble submission and obedience to God’s leading. Where God leads we will never be lost. At times God’s direction may be hard, difficult or unsettling because it might go against our conveniences, preferences or the usual comfort. Ultimately, complete obedience to Divine will is the only way for God’s people to find rest.

Code of Conduct

 

The Apostle Paul in his Letter to the Ephesians gives the code of conduct for the believers of Christ. He exhorts Christians to have nothing to do with the unfruitful works of darkness.

 

"Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them " (Hebrews 5:11)

 

Strong Biblical language amply uses metaphor in describing a thought or idea. In Scripture, the unfruitful works of darkness, would be taken to mean those things that stand in sharp contrast to the light of God’s commands. The darkness symbolizes all that is false, bad, harmful, evil, and fearful. Darkness is associated with the thoughts and actions of the unregenerate man (unbeliever).

 

So what are some of the works or deeds of darkness which we are commanded to shun?

 

The Apostle Paul said:

 

“Sexual immorality, and any kind of impurity or greed, shouldn’t even be mentioned among you, which is right for holy persons. Obscene language, silly talk, or vulgar jokes aren’t acceptable for believers. Instead, there should be thanksgiving. Because you know for sure that persons who are sexually immoral, impure, or greedy—which happens when things become gods—those persons won’t inherit the kingdom of Christ and God.” (Hebrews 5:2-9)

 

Paul says to have “nothing to do with them”.

 

If we are honest most of us have struggled against these deeds of darkness and if not for God's grace, it is a fierce battle we can't win in our own strength.