As for me, I shall see Your face in righteousness

.... I will be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness (Psalm 17:15).  David had been speaking about those who “have their portion in this life,”  the excessively wicked (verses 11- 13), but also those for whose treasure is in the here and now, whose portion are earthy treasures  (verse 14). In the phrase  “as for me,” David is saying that his portion has to do with the things of God, and in the sure hope of seeing God's face in righteousness. The righteousness of which David speaks is in vivid contrast to unrighteousness of those he has just been describing. There are three aspects to the righteousness of the believer. Firstly there is the imputed righteousness of justification (Romans 4:5-8). Secondly there is the growing righteousness of sanctification, the progressive freedom from the power and the pollution of sin. Paul admonishes us to work out  this righteousness with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Then there is the practical righteousness, the holiness without which no man shall see His face (Hebrews 12:14).

David is confident that he will see God's face, and the Lord wants us to be confident too. John tells us that he writes the things he does,  so that we may know we have eternal life (1 John 5:13). But this leaves no room for presumption. The essence of eternal life is ongoing relationship with God (John 17:3). It is not about going through the motions of saying the sinners prayer, then continuing to have our portion in this life, with our hearts set on our earthly appetites. This is to have “god as our belly,  and our glory as our shame.” Paul describes such people as the enemies of the cross of Christ (Philippians 3:18, 19). Jesus tells us “where your treasures is,  there is your heart also  (Matthew 6:21), and if our treasures are in early things, our hearts are far from God.

Paul again tells us that if by the Spirit we put to death the deeds of the flesh we shall live (Romans 8:13),  we shall see His face in righteousness, and we shall be satisfied when we awake.  Over and over  the Scripture speaks of death as sleep (i.e. Mark 5:39), and  awakening here,  speaks of entering the after life.  As to awakening in His likeness,  John tells us that when we see Him we will know Him because we will be like Him (1 John 3:2).  At that time,  in an instant,  in the twinkling of an eye, we will be changed.  All three aspects of our righteousness will come together in perfection, and we will fully reflect His righteousness. This, John tells us,  is because we will see Him as He is (verse 2). As to being satisfied, Jesus tells us that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed and shall be filled (Matthew 5:6). Hallelujah!

Father, You call us saints, You impute Your righteousness to us, and then You call us up to live up to what You say about us.  It's so easy to get caught up in the here and now Lord, and so we ask You this morning to wean us away from all earthy idols, so that we may perfectly love You and glorify Your holy Name. We ask these things in the Name of Him who loved us and gave His life for us, in Jesus precious Name Amen