"Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. ...But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength
in the time of trouble."
(PSALM 37:37, 39, KJV)

Psalm 37:1-40
Lest you read this verse and begin looking around to study upright people, know first and foremost that there has only been one Upright Man. He, of course, is the Lord Jesus. We can only be upright by the grace of God in which we stand, a grace extended to us through Jesus alone.


I have always been struck by the flying buttresses of Gothic cathedrals – external supporting structures which bolster up the incredible height of the nave. Without them the buildings would collapse. One writer paraphrased the Greek word “paraclete” (which means Advocate or Comforter) as “bean pole,” because one of the Holy Spirit’s functions is to stand alongside, as a bean pole does. Without the Holy Spirit, we would not be supported and could not grow. You could say He is our “bean pole” or our “flying buttress.” We are supported by the right hand of His righteousness.


Still there are some believers whom we do behold as distinctively upright. Paul encourages us in 1 Corinthians 4:16 to imitate him. Whom does Paul follow? Jesus!



Scripture Focus

Psalm 37:1-40

Insight

THERE ARE MANY ROLE MODELS WE CAN IMITATE, BUT ULTIMATELY WE WILL ONLY BE UPRIGHT BECAUSE THE UPRIGHT ONE SUPPORTS US.

Bible In A Year

  • Ezra 1-2
  • Psalm 26
  • Mark 5

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