Righteousness and Success

Psalms 85:8–13

“I will listen to what God the LORD says; He promises peace to His people, His faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly. Surely His salvation is near those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land. Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before Him and prepares the way for His steps.

What an encouraging set of verses! And there’s so much beautiful insight, “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other (v. 10).” The formula for favour and blessings, for contentment, joy are in these words; ultimately it comes from God, humbling ourselves seeking His face (II Chron 7:14), listening to and abiding in His Word (v. 8, Luke 11:28), and seeking His kingdom and righteousness (Matt 6:33). Today may I share some other verses that bring me great encouragement in times when I feel down, it reminds me of a God whose promises are true, whose power is behind us, and whose love embraces us, gives us strength and courage to face all our frustrations, fears, disappointments head on, may these words of the LORD to His servant Joshua as He anoints him with His authority: “After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant: "Moses My servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates-all the Hittite country-to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law My servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go (Jos 1:1–9).” And let us not miss Joshua’s response, for it is instructive, and may it be ours as well: “So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: "Go through the camp and tell the people, 'Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own (Jos 1:10-11).”