Date: Friday, June 13, 2014
Today's Chapters: Psalms 28-32
Message Title: Standing Upright

If you were to look up the word upright in the Strong's Numbers of the Bible it means to be straight. What that means to us is that God wants us to be honest, just (good), and well, straight. Ever try to do something when you were not in an upright position? Not much gets done. God wants us to be upright because we are the example and testimony others need to know Christ, and He could return at any time. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” - 2 Peter 3:9,10.

Being upright means, doing the right thing, even when are being tried and persecuted. Many of the Psalms David wrote was during the time that he was being hunted by Saul. While he did not always understand why he was being afflicted, he did understand that God was with him and would deliver him from his enemies. “Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up. Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.” - Psalms 28:5-9.

I do not know about you, but I hate to read the news anymore, people going crazy, war everywhere, and there is no such thing as agreeing to disagree. We are in a wicked world of political correctness that, quite frankly, will be the death of our nations, nations that once stood by the principles of God, and are literally throwing God to the curb for the sake of a few rebellious people with big mouths and money. “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” - Romans 1:22-24,32.

Being upright means, following the Word of God, even though we know we are saved and is not required. While David recognized that his belief in the Lord was the only thing saving his soul from hell, that did not stop him from seeking to follow God's commands, even as king. He recollects the mercies of God in his life, even when he messed up. “O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.” - Psalms 30:3-6,10-12.

God chastens His faithful more than those who really have no intention of living by His Word. Why? We know better. The same reason why a parent punishes their children or a boss their employer, is the same reason why God punishes us when we fall into sin. In the end, we will be better for it, and be blessed for enduring the punishment. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” - 1 Peter 4:12,13,16,17.

Being upright means, trusting in God's goodness, we may not always see God, but we can know His presence is always with those who love Him. David recalls God's goodness, even when he doesn't see God. “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” - Psalms 31:19-24.

Above all, being upright means, acknowledging that you are a sinner, whose sins have been forgiven and forgotten by God through our belief and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. David, committed his fair share of sins, and he and his family suffered for them. David praises God's forgiveness and reminds us all that our sins are covered and washed away, once we confess them to God. “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.” - Psalms 32:1-5,8-11.

No sin is committed in secret, God knows what we have done, a probably a few others that we are not aware of. Since God does know what we have done, it's wise to confess, not to remind Him of what we have done, but to remind ourselves that hidden sin destroys us. The guilt and shame alone destroy us, and that is why telling God covers our sin and washes us. God doesn't remember our sins when we confess them, He forgives us, it is the devil who remembers them, and keeps us in bondage to our past. “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” - Romans 3:22-24.

Today's Prayer: God, You want all You children to be upright, honest, faithful, and true to You. In a world full of wickedness it can be hard to remain upright when faced with so many challenges. You are our strength to remain upright when everyone else is against us. You are our courage to keep going when all we want to do is quit. You are our power to stay upright, when we cannot stand up any longer. You are our grace to remember that we are forgiven. Lord, help us to be upright in all that we do, and be ready for the day Your Son returns. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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