TOPIC: The Rewards Of Righteousness
MEMORISE: You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness more than Your companions. – Hebrews 1:9
BIBLE READING: Psalm 37:16-27
16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
MESSAGE:
God’s call to us all to live righteously is not a burden but a blessing. Living righteously may seem costly in a sinful world, but it brings divine rewards both in this life and in eternity. Here are some of God’s promises to those who walk in righteousness
Divine Provision:
“I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread” (Psalm 37:25). God ensures that the righteous are not abandoned. He provides for them and even extends His provision to their children.
Answered Prayers:
“… The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). The prayers of the righteous carry weight. God hears and answers when the righteous call on Him.
Guaranteed Well-being:
“Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings” (Isaiah 3:10). Living righteously leads to a life marked by peace, joy, and fulfilment. God assures the righteous that all will be well.
My dear child, choosing righteousness is choosing life, peace, provision, and divine favour. Although challenges may arise, the rewards are undeniable both on earth and in heaven.
PRAYER POINT:
Dear Lord, please help me to live a righteous life every day for the rest of my life.
HYMN 11: Blessed Assurance
1 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
2 Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending, bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love. [Refrain]
3 Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with His goodness, lost in His love. [Refrain]
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Mark 13:14-37, Deuteronomy 14-16
Authors: Pastor E.A Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye