April 9, 2025

STRIVE FOR UPRIGHTNESS (PART 2)

Apst. Emmanuel Osezele

KEY TEXT: PROVERBS 28:6 KJV: "Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich."

UPRIGHTNESS BRINGS PEACE. When we are honest and live righteously, we have nothing to fear. We sleep in peace because our hearts are clean before God and man. Daniel was bold to keep doing what he always did (praying three times daily) to praise His God, even when the decree was written to stop him. As an upright man, he had nothing to be afraid of. Even the king knew him as an upright worshiper of God. “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace” (PSALM 37:37).

GOD WATCHES OVER THOSE WHO LIVE UPRIGHTLY. Even the devil could not do anything against Job and his family because the hedge of God was about him and his family, reason being that Job was a perfect and upright man who feared God and eschewed evil (Job 1:1). In times of trouble, God will guide and deliver the upright because they trust in Him. “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry” (PSALM 34:15).

AN UPRIGHT PERSON DOES NOT CHEAT OTHERS. Those who live uprightly are fair in business, in relationships, and in their words. They treat people with kindness and respect. Those who live the life of uprightness follow the principles of the word of God that says, “do to others what you want others to do to you.” Upright people don’t smile at the expense of other people’s pain, they don’t pull others down to climb up. “A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight” (PROVERBS 11:1).

PRAYER:

Father Lord, grant me the grace for perfection, uprightness and the fear of God in the order of Job, that my family and I may be under your divine protection always, in Jesus Christ’s mighty name. Amen.

REFLECTION:

PROVERBS 13:6 KJV: “Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.”