“Thy righteousness is like the great mountains” (Psalm 36:6a).
At the age of ten, I saw mountains in real life for the first time. The Rocky Mountains in Colorado were the tallest, largest, and most impressive natural wonder I had ever seen. They were huge! Even though I was small and weak compared to the immense and firm mountains, they were approachable and accessible. I could see, touch, and walk on them.
According to Psalm 36:6, mountains are a picture of God’s righteousness. Mountains and God’s righteousness are constant. When night, a cloudy sky, or fog obscure the mountains, they are still there. God’s righteousness never goes away either; God is always righteous. God always has and always will do the right thing. Another similarity between mountains and God’s righteousness is greatness. Mountains extend to great heights and across vast areas. God’s righteousness has no limits. And, like mountains, God’s righteousness can be seen and experienced. Just as the awe-inspiring and breath-taking mountains are available to you and me, so is God’s righteousness.
The fact that God gives His righteousness to those who believe is even more stunning than the tallest mountain in the world. I do not deserve God’s righteousness; I deserve punishment, eternal torment, and separation from God, because I am a sinner. But God made sinless Jesus bear my sin and your sin on the cross so we could be made righteous. Second Corinthians 5:21 says, “For he hath made him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Those who believe that Jesus paid the penalty for their sins are saved and can be used by God to do right things that honor Him when they obey and follow Him. The book of Romans calls these people “instruments of righteousness” (Romans 6:13). This righteousness comes from God and is for His glory. It does not come from ourselves, nor is it for the purpose of making us look good. We need God’s righteousness, because none of us are righteous without Him (Romans 3:10).
The next time you see mountains, either in pictures or in person, remember that God’s righteousness is like mountains.
God is righteous. We must proclaim His righteousness and praise Him for His righteousness.
My response:
» Do I thank, praise, and worship God because of His righteousness?
» How can I be used as an instrument of righteousness for God today?