Psalms 103:17: “But the mercy of the LORD [is] from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;”
Is it just me or do you wonder why this passage specifies righteousness to the children’s children and not racham or even chasad. I know it is a given the children’s children will have racham and chasad since it is everlasting. But why specifically righteousness? What is so important about righteousness? Frankly I love racham passionate love and chasad mercy but I never really had much passion for righteousness and I guess I never really gave much thought as to what the righteousness of God really means. So I would like to just take a little time with this word righteousness particularly God’s righteousness and why it is so nifty for our future generations.
First we will take a look at the word righteousness. I rarely look at the English definition but I thought the English definition of righteousness opens some thoughts. The Webster definition of righteousness is the quality of being morally right and justifiable. Now that fits wonderfully for us flawed humans but how does it apply to God? To be morally right and justifiable means you are accountable to someone. There is someone who has established what is morally right and justifiable. If God is not morally right nor justifiable in His actions, I mean who is He accountable, to Himself? If He breaks a promise, who is there that will call Him into accountability. Who is there to judge God?
I don’t think our English definition really fits this Hebrew word tsedaq rightousness. There are other uses of this word than just to be morally right and justifiable. It is also used for a judge or a king. There are occasions in extra Biblical literature where it is used for prosperity, more specifically a prosperity that comes from God. It is also used to express the idea of vindication. In its very Semitic root, however, it has the idea of an acquittal. This does not necessarily mean the person was not guilty, but that the person would to be held responsible for his acts. I think this basic concept of tsedaq righteousness is what is intended when applied to God. God is ready to acquit us of any sinful act, no matter how bad and He will never hold us responsible for that act.
This righteousness of God is passed on to our children and their children. I know a couple women, mothers who have children who are not exactly the gung ho sold out to God type. They tend to do things that are no pleasing to God. These mothers, of course, suffer a wounded heart. I see this verse as saying, “Don’t fret, keep praying, as far as I am concerned my righteousness will extend to them, I will not hold them accountable for their actions.”
Hey, like that is a deal that just does not come down the pike every day. For example, let’s say one of these children attends a party and makes a little too merry and then gets pulled while driving his car under the influence, DUI. God’s righteousness would be like a judge calling that mother and saying: “Hey, all you son has to do is appear in my court, confess is fault, be willing to show good faith in overcoming his problem submit to my help and guidance and I will see to it that he will never be held responsible for this crime.” Not only will he not be charged but he will have the personal help of the judge to make sure he never commits this crime again. That is what God’ righteousness is all about. Your children go out and sin, your heart is broken but you go to God in tears and prayer and God says; “Hey, I will not lay this charge on you child, if he will just confess it to me and submit to my guidance and watch care, I will make sure he never commits this sin again.” That sounds too good to be true and yet it is, that is what God’s righteousness is all about when it is passed on to you children.
There is just one catch, your child has to be willing to confess his fault and submit to God. Without asking God for help, there is nothing God can do and should do. Let’s face it, man has a free will and it is a personal decision, you cannot make that decision for someone else, but your prayers and your example are something God can use to create a cause and effect. He can bring about events which will help that child make the right decision.
I recall working in a halfway house and counseling a former drug addict. I asked him what it was that cause him to give his life to the Lord and he said he had a Christian wife who was constantly praying for him. One day he came home and found her on her knees pleading to God for his salvation. It made him so angry that he picked her up and punched her in the stomach. As she fell on the floor crying in pain she continued to call out to God to save him. He said after that every time he picked up a needle he saw in his mind’s eye his wife lying on the floor crying in pain from the wound he inflicted on her and yet she kept praying for him in the midst of her pain.
Maybe there are some people who are too far gone to want to reach out for God’s righteousness, but I think they are very rare. We just give up too soon, we give up praying too soon. God never gives up, nor should you. Keep praying and God will keep finding ways to cause that loved one to want to seek His righteousness. It is there for your children’s taking, is that not what is promised in Psalms 103:17?
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