Kingdom 104: What Profit Has Righteousness in the Kingdom? Pt 1
Remember, we are spirit beings, living in a body made from soil (dirt) and we have a soul (our minds, will and emotions). Now, some ask, what is the use of being righteous? What good does it do to live a righteous life? For one, it is the standard of the Kingdom. If we were to view it from the world's viewpoint, it often seems as though the people who live only for themselves get along better than anyone else. We ask why the wicked seem to prosper. The people of this world system may be liars, cheaters, dishonest and unscrupulous in their business practices, and yet seem to prosper. Meanwhile, hardworking, upright people labor day after day just to survive and put food on the table. Some may ask, If righteousness is so important, why do the wicked prosper? It is human nature to question such things, as we only see in the physical realm, not the spirit realm. If we saw in the spirit realm, we might see the truth of who is truly prospering. Maybe it is our perspective that is out of whack!
Why the wicked seem to prosper is an age old question. There was an ancient Hebrew psalmist named Asaph who asked the very same question when he viewed evil men doing well. It made him question why he tried very hard to live right in the sight of the living God.
Why the wicked seem to prosper is an age old question. There was an ancient Hebrew psalmist named Asaph who asked the very same question when he viewed evil men doing well. It made him question why he tried very hard to live right in the sight of the living God.
Truly God is good to Israel,
To such as are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped.
For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For there are no pangs in their death,
But their strength is firm.
They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like other men.
Therefore pride serves as their necklace;
Violence covers them like a garment.
Their eyes bulge with abundance;
They have more than heart could wish.
They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;
They speak loftily.
They set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue walks through the earth.
~~~~~
Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who are always at ease;
They increase in riches.
Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,
And washed my hands in innocence.
For all day long I have been plagued,
And chastened every morning.
To such as are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped.
For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For there are no pangs in their death,
But their strength is firm.
They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like other men.
Therefore pride serves as their necklace;
Violence covers them like a garment.
Their eyes bulge with abundance;
They have more than heart could wish.
They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;
They speak loftily.
They set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue walks through the earth.
~~~~~
Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who are always at ease;
They increase in riches.
Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,
And washed my hands in innocence.
For all day long I have been plagued,
And chastened every morning.
Remember, the Lord Christ sees all while He sits alongside of His Father God on His throne. Asaph saw so much unrighteousness that he almost abandoned his attempt to live righteously, until the day he received a revelation from God. When he began to see things from a Kingdom perspective of the Kingdom of God. Then his perspective changed.
When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me--
Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end.
Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors.
As a dream when one awakes,
So, Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise their image.
Thus my heart was grieved,
And I was vexed in my mind.
I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
It was too painful for me--
Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end.
Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors.
As a dream when one awakes,
So, Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise their image.
Thus my heart was grieved,
And I was vexed in my mind.
I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
Things look quite different when viewed from a Kingdom perspective. From a Kingdom perspective, unrighteous people, who so often appear to be stable, successful, healthy, wealthy and "have it all together" are actually on a slippery slope toward destruction. We do not see things as God sees them.
When you start viewing the world from a Kingdom perspective, you never concern yourself with the world's troubles or it's temporary successes. You will always feel safe in His promises. You will never sweat the small stuff because you are in His protection. Being under the Lord God's protection is not having to concern yourself with dying. The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. It is a totally different situation with the righteous: Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
Continue to part 2
Psalm 73:1-9; 12-14; 16-22 Psalm 1:4; 1-3
~~W.R. Luchie
When you start viewing the world from a Kingdom perspective, you never concern yourself with the world's troubles or it's temporary successes. You will always feel safe in His promises. You will never sweat the small stuff because you are in His protection. Being under the Lord God's protection is not having to concern yourself with dying. The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. It is a totally different situation with the righteous: Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
Continue to part 2
Psalm 73:1-9; 12-14; 16-22 Psalm 1:4; 1-3
~~W.R. Luchie
