ARE YOU OVER OR UNDER? 019.

Daniel’s history is a remarkable one. He carried out his faith and principles against great opposition. He was condemned to death because he would not abate one jot of his allegiance to God even in the face of the king’s decree. It might, at this day, be called overrighteousness to go, as was his wont, three times a day and kneel before the open window for prayer while he knew that prying eyes were observing him and that his enemies were ready to accuse him of disloyalty to the king; but Daniel would allow no earthly power to come in between him and his God, even with the prospect of death in the den of lions. Although God did not prevent Daniel from being cast into a den of lions, an angel went in with him and closed their mouths, so that no harm befell him; and in the morning, when the king called him, he responded: “My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocence was found in me; and also, before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.” He was a noble, steadfast servant of God. {5T 527.1}

As I read this for devotion, I did think, “yeah, that does seem like it would be overly righteous.” For Daniel to blatantly pray, with his window open, after it was decreed illegal and punishable by death. Why didn’t he just close the blinds or something? Many times, we read the Bible and fail to actually immerse ourselves in the stories and ask from a place of purest sincerity and honesty, what would I have done? In this situation I totally see myself feeling righteous by continuing to pray but just not in the open. If someone told me to continue to pray in the open, I would think they are being “holier than thou” or overrighteous. Then it dawned on me, I am so “normal” or maybe seek to be so “normal” that my righteousness takes such a low profession.

It was crazy to think that what I consider overrighteous was just simply righteous.

We all know that person, the overrighteous person. What if that person is simply righteous while are righteousness is cheap, and low and worldly.

Ahh worldly righteousness, just enough to tell the world I’m different, but also telling them I’m not that different.

This is hard to navigate, because there is such thing as being overly righteous for no reason, BUT where do we usually fall, over or under?

God, give me the righteousness of Christ, that is appropriate for every situation at all times, no matter the consequence.

IJN,

amen