31 July 2008

Upright Heart – 10.25.07

Greetings, one and all. Today, I'd like us to consider an upright heart. Hope this blesses you as it did me.

The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory. (Psalm 64:10)

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. (Psalm 97:11)

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. (Psalm 32:11)

Now, let's all be honest and admit that at one time or another we've all had this type of thought cross our minds – if "personal holiness" is what makes those people grumpy all the time, then I don't want it.

However, the book of Psalms indicates that the one who possesses an upright heart is characterized by gladness, joy, and rejoicing. The life of Jesus Christ bears testimony to this fact. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Now, those people who make us think the aforementioned thoughts might very well have some type of outward display of uprightness. But if they were truly upright in heart, it would be evidenced by some gladness and rejoicing.

So don't be deceived into thinking that if you sell out to Jesus Christ and dedicate your life from this moment on to His glory that you'll never have fun again. Jesus came that we might have life, and…have it more abundantly (John 10:10). In God's presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). Hallelujah!

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

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