p. 109 | Righteousness by A. S. Hutchins

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 21, 1871

Righteousness.

By A. S. Hutchins

The Scriptures represent righteousness as obedience to God's law. “And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us.” Deut. 6: 25. “Righteousness exalteth a nation.” Upon the righteous the Lord looketh with delight. “For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.” Ps. 11: 7. And again, “The Lord loveth the righteous.” To such how comforting his promises. “Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.” Isa. 3: 10.

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.” Matt. 5: 6. “He that walketh righteously and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high; his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks; bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.” Isa. 33: 15, 16.

Dear brethren, it is now our especial work to seek “righteousness,” seek “meekness,” that we may be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. Zeph. 2: 1–3.

Let us perseveringly do this, and humbly walk with God, in all things obeying him; and then soon shall be heard a voice from Heaven, of the most enrapturing sweetness and thrilling loveliness, “Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.” Isa. 26: 2.

Pilgrims, bound to the city of God, fresh courage take, and onward press. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” A. S. HUTCHINS.