“RIGHTEOUSNESS!” Proverbs 14:34; Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. “RIGHTEOUSNESS!” 1 Samuel 4:3; And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies. Many church goers today believe because you attend church, and have some word in you. That you have the power to ward off trouble, not true. James 2:18; Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. “RIGHTEOUSNESS!” 1 Samuel 4:4; So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. Going to church and having some word in you. Don’t make you righteous. Here we see they had the ark of the covenant but they had the sons of Eli, the two were worthless men; they had no regard for the Lord,(1 Samuel 2:12) they used their position for gain. Church that’s taking part with sin, having their way. Romans 1:21; Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. “RIGHTEOUSNESS!” 1 Samuel 4:10; And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter, for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. v11; And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain. You can attend church and have the word, but if you don’t have the works; the doing life. James 2:20; But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Reproach, it’s a shame. “RIGHTEOUSNESS!” 1 Samuel 30:1; And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; v2; And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. Church, but when you have righteousness in your life, the work. Isaiah 59:19; So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. “RIGHTEOUSNESS!” 1 Samuel 30:6; And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. Righteousness takes on trouble with a standard. 1 Corinthians 15:54; So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. “RIGHTEOUSNESS!” 1 Samuel 30:8; And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all. Don’t just go to church and have some word, a saying. But exalt yourselves, live righteously. James 1:25; But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. “RIGHTEOUSNESS!” Teaching! Overseer/Apostle