Righteous Routines
How can you grow each day into the person God made you to be experiencing the best of your inheritance as God's beloved child? Learn to develop righteous routines as God guides you through each day.
“There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a sabbath to the Lord...When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest...When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you...Live in temporary shelters for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in such shelters so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’ ””
Leviticus 23:3, 9-10, 22, 28
What does God teach His people about how to live well? He says rest, remember the others as you reap, and revere Him. Why do each of these matter and how do they coincide or contrast with your current patterns? Ask yourself why you do or do not follow these? How much more of a blessing would you receive if you grew in each of these practices?
God reminds His people to never forget what He has done for them. What has God done in your life? How would eating top ramen or living simply remind you of God's faithfulness and produce more gratitude?
“Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord. Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.”
Psalms 113:1-4
How often do you praise? David says to praise from sunrise to sunset. How could you leverage technology to remind you to build in times of praise. Is your default to praise God when you feel pressure or try to strategize a plan? What would happen if our default in life was to praise God before, in, through, and after the pressures we face each day?
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers...A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.”
Proverbs 11:2, 4, 14, 20-21, 24-25, 30
What are some healthy routines that Solomon says will help you draw closer to God? Before he gives advice, he asks if you are open to hearing advice. He says a humble heart that seek out advice from wise council will have greater success in the battles we face. How many mentors do you have? Who are you mentoring? How is seeking advice or sharing best practices part of your daily routine?
Solomon reiterates what God said in Leviticus about remembering others in need but reinforcing the impact of generosity. Where are you sharing and where are you caring? Followers of Jesus naturally find areas to give and serve as part of each day.
“Alas, sword of the Lord, how long till you rest? Return to your sheath; cease and be still.’”
Jeremiah 47:6
A healthy routine involves prayer. What do we do when we face difficulty or are in despair? Advocate that God would act on your behalf. Jesus says ask, seek, knock. How is your prayer life part of your daily routine? Do you do drive-by prayers or deep devotions where you dwell patiently with Jesus?
“Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
Acts 25:10-11, 23, 25
Discern the true from the false. Paul has learned that he is to stand firm on the truth in his life and when he faces trials to trust in God's timing. He does not back down or bow down to culture. He stands firm and stays true.
Paul did not know what would happen next. He likely did not know he would appeal to Caesar. Rather, he was present in the moment and trusted the Holy Spirit would give him the words to say when it was time to speak. One of the most important learnings from a righteous routine is to let the Spirit lead. If you create margin to listen, the Holy Spirit will give you all need in each moment of the day.
Righteousness is defined not as a life without sin. God knows we are not perfect. Rather, He meets us where we are and is growing us step by step through our routines towards His righteous ways.