Leviticus 21-23; Psalm 37

Sometimes I really hate reading verses like the righteous have no lack, they never have to beg, the wicked will die, and so forth because when I look out at this earth, that’s just not true. The racism, sexism, poverty, mass incarceration, homeless and so forth in this country DO LACK. Many who are “righteous” are begging on the street. So what is this Psalm trying to tell us? I am not going to doubt someone’s righteousness by their current earthly state. We do that sometimes don’t we? We see someone suffering or in need and we might think they must be off with God. We see someone not getting the abundances of this world and think they must be in sin. We can take verses like these and do the flip side — judge the inside by what you see on the outside. Let me tell you: this outside world is wicked and there are some sick rules and systems we live in. Those who are righteous do not always get vindicated in this life and that sucks. Those who are righteous do suffer on earth. So what is it that they do not lack? So what is it that they do not need to beg for? Grace? Integrity? Their conscience? Their worth? The righteous know their worth even if those around them don’t acknowledge it. Hold on. Keep on. Persevere. Endure! You are worthy!