February 4, 1999, Thursday

Do you believe that God's Kingdom and its foundation are very

secure and perfect? Is there a requirement for a person to be

a part of God's people and His Kingdom? How is God's way and

His Kingdom different than most other kingdoms and other ways

of living?

The Psalmist tells us that God built His Kingdom on His perfect

righteousness. He intended it to be without flaw or any defect-

"Your kingdom is founded on righteousness and justice; love

and faithfulness are shown in all You do" (Psa 89:14). The love

and goodness of God is the evidence that His kingdom, the super

structure of righteousness, is well prepared to administer the

justice of this world in truth and for all eternity.

Paul explained to Timothy that because that foundation and the

Kingdom of God is perfect, it is secure and will not suffer loss-

"But the solid foundation that God has laid cannot be shaken;

and on it are written these words: "The Lord knows those who

are His" and "Those who say that they belong to the Lord must

turn away from wrongdoing" (2Tim 2:19). As a person turns

from the old life and the old way of doing things he has a new goal-

"But you, man of God, avoid all those wrong things. Strive for the

righteousness, godliness, and endurance of God, but with faith

and love in God" (1Tim 6:11). That person that makes the goal

and foundation of his life the righteousness of God is secure.

In Paul's letter to the Philippians he compared his previous

manner of living to the foundation and basis of his new life-

"We should be completely united with Him. I no longer have a

righteousness of my own, the kind that is gained by obeying

the Law. I now have the righteousness that is given through

faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God and

is based on faith" (Phil 3:9). He realized that simply obeying

the law was not sufficient. His new basis, his faith in God,

became his foundation and his life was transformed.

Let us remember who is the Lord that is Our Righteousness.

God's Name is Jehová Tsidkenu. He is the God that clothes

us with His Righteousness. He is the God that puts His truth,

humility, and kindness in our spirit. The Psalmist expressed

his joy and gratitude for a clear conscience: "I will praise

You as long as I live, and in Your Name I will lift up my

hands" (Psa 63:4). Lift your hands to Him and Praise Him

for the fact that He is the God that is Our Righteousness!