Day 6

JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

"For the Lord loveth judgement, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off." Psalm 37:28

When David fought the Philistines at Rephaim (2 Sam. 6:17-25) Scripture records that the Lord went out before him to smite the host of the Philistines (v24). As he defeated the enemies of Israel and secured it's standing as an independent nation "the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went." 2 Sam. 8:6,14 So an era of peace began. But this was not only because of David's foreign policy but also due to his rule at home. Second Samuel 8:15-18 illustrates the administrative advances he made turning Israel into an ordered and well run country. The blessings David received from God made him big-hearted and open handed with his people. Psalm 37:1-6 records the lessons David learned from his own experience. Verse seven is true of David because that is exactly what he was - a man of righteousness and judgement. Verse 25 is true of Israel because of David's rule; he determined that it should be a land where no one begged bread or felt forsaken. Finally verses 26 and 28 record the attributes of God which David took as a model for his role as king.

In an incident involving a person in very different circumstances Jesus made a telling comment. Look up Luke 7:47. Was this also true of David? Is it true of God's followers today? Consider Luke 6:43-45 and then Matthew 25:31-46. Why are the righteous so surprised (v37-39)? David was fully aware of God's goodness to him and out of a full heart he gave of himself to his people. God expects no less of us.