Righteous people should be the heroes and role models of those who belong to the Lord. - Day 24

“As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.””

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭16:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

My father used to speak often about the fact that when he was very young, he would seek out the old men with whom to associate so that he could listen to what they had to say. He desired the wisdom that they could perhaps impart to him. As he became an older person himself, he was stymied that it seemed that younger people no longer were seeking out the wisdom of their elders. Now, I know that there has “always” been a tendency for young people to think they know more than older people, but, it seems as though the honor and respect once aimed toward the elders, has been redirected toward those who are “popular.” Sadly, many professing Christians don’t allow godlessness to disqualify those they choose to admire, venerate, and emulate.

I truly believe that a sure sign of a society’s moral decay is the ubiquitous hero worship of scoundrels. I understand that these people are not generally admired BECAUSE they are scoundrels. However, the fact that they are morally bankrupt often doesn’t matter if there is something else they possess that their admirers desire to have or to be.

Until very recently, who ever heard of the title, “Influencer,” as being a thing? Now, an Influencer is someone on social media who—having no other claim to fame except for having possibly hundreds of thousands of followers—are paid big bucks to endorse or promote products or ideas to their “followers.” Sadly, the opinions of these Influencers is swallowed undiluted by their captivated audience.

It is a tragedy to see girls wanting to be like young women who exhibit very lewd behavior. Young boys also get caught up in admiring those who seem to get the awards, applause, accolades, and yes, money.

Now, our own government is exalting people who are actually very troubled individuals. In an attempt to normalize—or actually promote evil behavior—people are put into positions of power who would never have even been considered before. Please understand me, I don’t believe in abusing or treating any individuals in a disrespectful way. However, to go to the other extreme and make role models of people who basically need deliverance, is mind boggling. Again, even more tragic is that many professing Christians keep righteous living corralled in its “proper” place with “God stuff.”

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

‭‭I John‬ ‭2:15-17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

If we continue to embrace the ungodly as heroes, it won’t be long before our country crumbles under the weight of its own corruption.

In our portion from Psalms today we see that David knew the importance—not only of associating with the righteous (which we find as a theme in many of his writings)—but of also making those people the ones you honor and respect.

“I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites. I have hated the assembly of evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭26:4-5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

We must all be honest with ourselves. If we find that we enjoy the company of the wicked, or being entertained by wicked people, we must face the fact that our affections have shifted away from the Lord. And, if we do not correct the object of our affections, we will find our behavior following after the spirit of the world and not the Spirit of our God.

For today let us know and understand what David knew:

Righteous people should be the heroes and role models of those who belong to the Lord.

#100dayswithdavid