Well today I fathers day and I want to tell you that there is nothing cooler than a righteous man unless of course it is a righteous woman. Wow, righteous man. That is a righteous man.
If proverbs 31 is a picture of a righteous woman, the psalms give us a portrait of what it means to live as a righteous man. Today, you are undoubtedly thinking about your fathers and how they might or might not have measured up to this description. But the real question for us today is "how do I measure up to these qualities and values.
Many people are asking the question today, why should I serve God? What is in it for me? What is the value of being righteous in a world that seems to value just the opposite? After all, isn't it the 90s thing to do to be tolerant and accept any kind of lifestyle?
We have become a culture of greed and corruption; of selfish pleasure and then when that doesn't work, we have anesthetized our selves with our addictions to drugs and alcohol. Why serve God? Why be righteous.
In particular, the world's prgoression in technology has resulted in a regression in spirituality and morality for men. Edwin loouis coles says that "as a result, they (men) have surrendered toeir ideals to immora;, illegal, unethical, and irresponsible actions.
He goes on to say that "the world is looking for strong men who will overcome drifting philosophies and will bring hope order and dignity back to a world in desparate need."
Who is such a man? Where can such a man be found?
The psalmist answers that question by boldly stating that the person who fears God and who is righteous is blessed.
The psalmist points out what any astute observer might notice about a man who has his life together.
I have known people like this. No matter what happens to them they seem unflappable and undaunted. There is a deep and inner happiness that carries them through even the most difficult of experiences and the most irritating annoyances.
To look at such a righteous person is to say there is a happy person. But what is it about such a person that makes them happy and content?
Their relationship with their creator is whole and secure. The reason such a person can be content and happy in all circumstances is that they know that a sovereign and loving creator has not only made them but also walks with them in the midst of daily life so that nothing that happens can destroy what is truly important to them. Nothing can separate them from the love that is in Christ.
Verse 4 - says that even in darkness, the light dawns for the upright. They are the kind of person who says that if life serves me lemons, I'll just make lemonade.
Verse 6 - says that surely he will not be shaken. He has no fear of bad news. His heart is steadfast in trusting the Lord, his heart is secure, he will have no fear.
The Godly man not only benefits his own life but he leaves a legacy of faith and spiritual victory for his children. As a model of a just and righteous life, his children learn from his example that the one who is in them as believers is greater than the one who is in the world. His life displays the confidence that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him.
The great enemy of the soul is no match for the descendant of a Godly man because they have learned how to defend themselves against the fiery darts of satan. They have learned how to wear the spiritual armor that paul describes in ephesians 6.
We leave many things to our children. We leave them certain genetic markers that cause them to be like us in physical traits and appearance. Some may even leave their children a large inheritance. But the greatest thing you can leave your children is the example of victorious faith that rises above problems and ultimately wins the battle.
Notice the subtle distinction here. Many people aspire to material wealth today. But this is a description of a person who wholeheartedly follows and obeys the Lord without regard for material wealth. He has no ulterior motives. His only desire is to serve and obey God and the by-product of that is that God blesses such a person with material blessing.
I read on e quip that said that a father now carries pictures where his money used to be. Blessings may not always be in large bank accounts or bmws but in happy family whose needs are all met.
It is important to note that this is not saying that a righteous person is afraid of God, but that he/she fears God. That is to say, they have a healthy reverence and respect for God holiness and majesty.
Not being afraid of the Lord. But fearing him. The only reason to be afraid of God is if we don't truly fear him or revere him.
I read a joke the other day. It seems that a man entered a raffle. He won a single toy. The problem was that he had five children. His dilemma was that he didn't know which of the five to give it to so he asked: "who always obey mother and never talks back, who does everything she says?' five small voices answered in unison: "you go ahead and keep it daddy."
The righteous man fears God and is obedient, not as a cowering slave but as a willing servant who is eager to serve his master out of respect and reverence.
I admired my father for many things. Not the least of which was that dad was a giving person. He never forgot birthdays or anniversaries. He always brought home little things for us kids when he went away on business trips.
But he not only gave to us. We grew up seeing the value in giving to others - to the church; to missions; to the poor; to friends.
Yes dad guided his affairs with discretion. He was not foolish with money. But he wasn't afraid to share it with others either.