For you bless righteousness, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.
– Psalm 5:12
God’s standard of living was given to the children of Israel on Mount Sinai. A Holy God, He expected obedience.
J.B. Phillips once said, “It is the straight edge of the Law that shows us how crooked we are.”
The Old Testament followers of God could seek to do His will but, when they failed, they made a sacrifice to the Lord to atone for their sin. Their faith in the promises of God, the promise of the Messiah to come, caused them to want to live as the Lord commanded. Scripture says of Abraham, “And he believed the Lord, and he [God] counted it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). Righteousness before God, however, is not sinlessness.
Righteousness is linked closely with a believer’s intimate relationship with the Lord. Praise and thanksgiving flow because of Christ’s work on the cross. Not only is the believer today cleansed of the sin debt but is now clothed with the righteousness of Christ. Faith in Him will cover you “with favor as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12). Not just any shield, but as the one soldiers of Egypt’s Middle Kingdom used that covered the body from head to toe and girded him about. It is protection from the fiery darts of Satan…all those worldly temptations that allure.
Those who serve God and choose to live by His standards will be blessed in a multitude of ways. They may have troubles but will never be forsaken. The Lord will uphold the righteous (Psalm 37:17). Intercede for those believers who are in positions of authority who face assaults from the enemy daily. Pray that their faith would remain strong, shielded with the favor of God.
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