I LOVE RIGHTEOUSNESS

Part 3

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

Jesus commanded us to seek after righteousness because His kingdom is a righteous kingdom. Let's keep seeking to understand more of what it means to walk righteously.

Righteousness is associated with Boldness

Proverbs 28:1 says, "The righteous are bold as a lion." Don't you love that? Righteousness is the opposite of timidity and fear. If we are walking in righteousness we will not fear, but will be bold to proclaim God's truth and salvation. We will speak out like Peter and John did when they were commanded not to speak about Jesus, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:18-20).

We will be like the disciples who spoke boldly for the Lord, whether they were in the synagogue or in the market place. Check out the following Scriptures: Acts 4:13; 9:27, 29; 13:46; 19:8 and 18:26. We never have to apologize for speaking God's truths, even when it is counter-culture to society around us. We never have to be intimidated. God's truth is worth speaking boldly.

Righteousness is associated with Hating Evil

Psalm 45:7 RAV says, "You love righteousness and hate wickedness." If we are walking in righteousness, we will hate evil. We will hate evil like God hates it. We will not only hate it, but stand up against it and expose it. See also Ephesians 5:11; Psalm 40:9-10; 94:16 and Proverbs 13:5. It is the opposite of compromise. There is too much tolerance of evil today. It is amazing how we can begin to accept things in our humanistic society as if they were normal. When prayer was taken out of public schools, did God's people rise up, take action for righteousness and take their children out of the public school? No, we carried on as usual.

Recently, while having to sign some forms in Australia, I found no place to state my status as a wife. No place for Wife! No place for Husband! Only Partner! When a nation does not honor the sacred institution of marriage, the first institution that God set into being, it stands in a dangerous place. But somehow we get used to doing it Satan's way instead of God's way. Unless we speak out against evil, it becomes more and more entrenched in our way of life and accepted as normal.

The standards that are regarded as normal for Christians today were considered horrific when I was a child. If a husband committed adultery with another woman, he was looked upon as an outcast in our little town. And yet today, Christians accept this behavior without blinking an eye! Do we take a stand against abortion and homosexuality or do we accept it as part of our culture? Do we really hate evil like God hates it?

Righteousness is associated with Justice

Psalm 97:2 says, "Righteousness and justice are the habitation of his throne." See also Psalm 33:5; Jeremiah 23:5 and  33:15.Justice is "the use of authority to uphold what is right. It is acting as a judge and rendering the proper verdict-God's verdict." So often we judge according to our own verdict instead of God's verdict. But if we walk in righteousness we will have true discernment. It is the opposite of situational ethics where we decide on a matter according to our circumstances and how it suits us at the time. True justice makes a decision according to God's Word, even when it doesn't fit in with our lifestyle.

Righteousness and justice are twins. They are constantly coupled together. Just as righteousness and justice are part of God's character, He wants them to also be part of our character. That's why He commands us in Jeremiah 22:3 NASB, "Thus says the Lord, ‘Do justice and righteousness."

Psalm 106:3 NASB says, "How blessed are those who keep justice, who practice righteousness at all times!"

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Oh God my Father, I pray for righteousness to return to this land. Pour down righteousness upon the earth. Give me the courage to stand up against evil and to hate evil the same way you hate evil. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I will not keep silent in the face of evil.

Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font.

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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I LOVE RIGHTEOUSNESS

Part 2

"Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people," Psalm 14:34

A nation is made up of families. Therefore, the only way we can have a righteous nation is if we establish righteous families, which are made up of righteous individuals. May God help us to be righteous couples who are committed to raising righteous families. There is no other plan for a righteous nation. It comes back to families.

The Psalmist cried out in Psalm 11:3, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" There is only one thing we can do, and that is to build them again. The first institution God ordained was marriage and family-before church and before government. We cannot look to government. We cannot look to the organized church. We must come back to establishing righteous marriages and raising godly families.

What does it mean to be a righteous family?

Righteousness is associated with Life

Proverbs 12:28 says, "In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death." See also Proverbs 11:19 and 21:21.

Romans 8:1-11 says, "If Christ be in you... the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also give life to your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you." See also 1 Peter 2:24.

Jesus Christ came to give us life; more than that, He came to give us "abundant life" John 10:10. The word "abundant" in the Greek is perissos and means "exceedingly, above the greatest abundance, superabundantly, over and above." This is the righteous life of Jesus that dwells in is. This abundant life is the opposite of boring. It is the opposite of being religious. It is the opposite of living according to regulations and laws imposed by men regarding dress codes and so on.

This kind of righteousness is creative living. It is life-pulsating and life-impacting. It is life-speaking. Every time we open our mouth we will speak words of life that feed and nourish our husband and children. Proverbs 10:11 says,  "The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life." See also Proverbs 10:21. This is the kind of life God wants us to enjoy with our families.

We will be a "tree of life," giving sustenance, shade, shelter and hope to all we meet. A tree is not stagnant, but life-giving. See Proverbs 11:30 and Isaiah 61:3.

Righteousness is associated with Fruitfulness

Isaiah 32:16 says, "Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field." Righteousness is the opposite of unfruitfulness. God who is a righteous God loves fruitfulness. He associates himself with fruitfulness. Psalm 107:42-43 tells us that when God makes families "like a flock," the righteous rejoice! They are glad and praise the Lord when more children are born. Did you notice that it is God who makes families like a flock? It is not man's doing, but God's.

If we choose barrenness rather than fruitfulness, can we say that we walk in righteousness? Check out Psalm 128:3.

Righteousness will produce fruit in every aspect of our lives. Philippians 1:11 says, "Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." See also Proverbs 12:12 and 2 Corinthians 9:10b.

Righteousness is associated with Wisdom

Psalm 37:30 says, "The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom." This is the opposite of foolish talking and jesting. We are prone to a lot of foolish talking, aren't we? But when righteousness fills our hearts, it will come out of our mouths. Righteousness is not stagnant. It is an attribute that lives and breathes, acts and speaks. See Proverbs 10:32 and 15:28.

1 Corinthians 1:30 says, "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." Christ in us is righteousness. Christ in us is wisdom who enables us to speak words of wisdom. Because Christ is in us, we should have the same testimony of Jesus of whom they "wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth" (Luke 4:22). They also exclaimed, "No man ever spoke like this man" (John 7:46 RAV).

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Dear loving Father, I want to walk in righteousness. Thank you for showing me that your righteousness is life and fruitfulness. Anoint my head with oil to walk in life instead of legality. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I am helping to build a righteous nation as I build a righteous marriage and family.

Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read throughout the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font.

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

I LOVE RIGHTEOUSNESS

Part 1

"For the righteous Lord loves righteousness," Psalm 11:7

God loves righteousness. If God loves righteousness and we belong to Him, don't you think we should love righteousness too? It is not a matter of trying to be righteous. It is a matter of loving righteousness.

What is righteousness? The word means "blameless conduct and integrity, right actions and attitudes, truth, faith, obedience and justice." Righteousness goes far beyond laws and regulations. It is not legality. Righteousness is life. It is Christ's life living in and through us. True righteousness flows through our countenance as we smile at our loved ones; through our hands as we comfort, caress and minister God's healing and love; through our feet as we go about doing good; and through our heart as we show compassion, but act with justice and integrity.

God associates righteousness with many attributes in His Word. As we look at these qualities we will understand more of God's righteousness and how we can practically live it out in our lives.

Righteousness is associated with Joy

Hebrews 1:9 says, "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." Because Christ Jesus the Son loves righteousness, He is anointed with the oil of gladness Psalm 45:7). Righteousness is the opposite of looking pious. It is the opposite of misery. If we walk in righteousness, we'll abound with joy. We'll laugh and sing! Our homes will resound with laughter and gladness. Can you imagine the joyful atmosphere in the homes that are pictured in Psalm 118:15? "The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous."

Psalm 68:3 says, "Let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice." Read also Psalm 32:11; 33:1; 51:14b; 64:10; 89:15-16; 97:11-12; 145:7; Proverbs 10:28; 29:6 and Isaiah 64:5a.

We go over to the New Testament and see the same association, "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:17).

Righteousness is associated with Peace

Isaiah 32:17-18 says, "The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places." Psalm 85:10 tells us that "Righteousness and peace have kissed each other." (Isaiah 48:18)

Righteousness is the opposite of anxiety and stress. Some people are so intent on obeying laws (often man-made laws) that they are filled with tension. God's righteousness works peace in our lives. God's righteousness enables us to make peace in our homes. Read Hebrews 12:11 and James 3:18. I know of one marriage that divorced because the wife believed it was wrong to celebrate Christmas. It is not a matter of who was right or wrong. Righteousness would make peace and harmony and keep the marriage together!

Righteousness is associated with Stickability

God promises, "He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved" Psalm 55:22. Read also Proverbs 10:30 and 12:3. Righteousness is the opposite of being tossed to and fro. We will not be shaken by the circumstances that happen in our lives, no matter how unexpected. We will stand unmoved because we trust in a righteous God who only does what is right. Job confessed, "My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go" Job 27:6. Read also Job 17:9 and Isaiah 54:14.

Righteousness is associated with Generosity

Psalm 37:21 says, "The righteous shows mercy, and gives." Read also Psalm 37:25-26; 112:9 and Proverbs 29:7.

Proverbs 21: 26 says, "The righteous gives and spares not." God's righteousness is opposite to stinginess. If we are walking in God's righteousness, we'll be liberal. We'll be constantly giving-giving our finances, giving hospitality, giving our time to serve others, giving love, giving smiles and giving words of encouragement and inspiration. We will not hold back but pour out everything we have.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Oh Father God, please save me from walking in the righteousness of the Pharisees who relied on their own good deeds. Fill me with your righteousness so that your life will flow through me. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

Christ's righteousness in me is joy and peace!

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PREPARING PRINCES

Part 4

"Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, whose mouth speaks vain words, and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood-that our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as pillars, sculptured in the style of a palace." Psalm 144:11-12 Revised Authorised Version

Once again, the Bible talks about our children in the context of royalty. Let's look at some other translations of this Scripture regarding our daughters:

Revised Standard Version: "Our daughters like corner pillars, cut for the structure of a palace."

New American Standard Bible: "Our daughters as corner pillars, fashioned as for a palace."

There are two purposes for pillars:

1. To support a building

You would think the Bible would refer to our sons as pillars as pillars denote strength, but God chose to liken our daughters to pillars. He wants them to be strong, too. Our daughters will one day bear the responsibility of raising a family, which is a huge task. They must be physically strong, prepared and ready to bear children. They must also be mentally, emotionally and spiritually strong. They must be strong in their commitment to purity, holiness, faith, truth and strong in standing against the deceptions of this age. We notice that our daughters are likened to pillars of a palace, not some insignificant building, but are extra strong pillars to hold up a magnificent building.

The word "virtuous" in Proverbs 31:10 is chayil and means "strength." It is interesting that she is described as a woman of strength and mighty valor! God relates these virtues to a woman!

2. To beautify the palace

The pillars of a palace were not only to support the upper storey, but to beautify the building. Let's look at some more translations:

Living Bible: "Daughters of graceful beauty like the pillars of a palace wall."

New American Bible: "Our daughters like carved columns, shapely as those of the temple."

We are not only to raise our daughters to be strong, but to be beautiful. Did you notice the descriptions? "Shapely"-not out of shape! "Graceful beauty"-daughters who walk like royalty with head high and open face; who act with dignity, speak like royalty and dress like royalty (not necessarily with expensive clothes but with clothes that glorify the King of kings).

Fide's Translation says, "Our daughters like upright pillars, fine-wrought for a palace." They do not slouch but sit and walk uprightly-both physically and spiritually.

What about our sons? The New English Bible says, "Happy are we whose sons in their early prime stand like tall towers." There is nothing bowed down about sons and daughters of royalty.

I love how the young men of Asher were described as "choice and mighty men of  valor." (1 Chronicles 7:40) The word "choice" is barar in the Hebrew and means, "singled out, chosen, cleansed, purified, polished and proved." What a powerful career to raise "choice" young men for God's glory.

However, before we can reap the harvest of choice young men and women, we have to do something. Before this promise comes the word of the Psalmist in verse 11, "Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange (alien) children, whose mouth speak vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood." They will not become sons that grow tall in godly stature and daughters who are like the pillars of a palace while we allow them to be educated by the falsehoods of humanism and secularism. We must rid them from these influences.

Our children will not automatically become princes and princesses. Psalm 45:16 says, "Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom you will make princes in all the earth?" They don't suddenly turn out like princes. We have to make them into princes and princesses. This takes committed, full-time  training. May God anoint us for this great task! Read Psalm 112:1-2.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

Above Rubies, www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

"Oh God and Father, please help me to see that I have the privileged task of training royalty. Help me to get rid of every obstacle that would deter my sons and daughters from the destiny you have determined for them. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I am training my sons and daughters for royalty.

Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read throughout the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font.

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. You are welcome to copy this article and forward it to your friends or post on your Blog or Facebook.