Just a quick thought:
Micah tells us to remember what the Lord did "that (we) may know the righteousness of the Lord".
In the Song of Deborah, I find this:
My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the LORD. Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way. They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates.
(Judges 5:9-11)
After the war, the victorious Israelites are going to "rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord".
God's people are always rehearsing God's righteousness, His righteous deeds. When a person reads a book, or sees a movie, that they really really like, what do they do? They tend to "rehash" it. When a person experiences a wild ride on a roller coaster, or has a great time at some fair, what do they do? They rehearse what happened, that is, they tell everybody what happened and why it was so great.
God's people are always rehashing the great and wonderful things God has done throughout history. They are always talking about the Lord and how great He is and all that He has done.
This of course is a primary method for transmitting the knowledge of God from one generation to the next, and from one people group to another. "Telling the Story." It is the tried and true method of teaching your children, and your neighbours, about God, so they too may "know the righteousness of the Lord."
But it's not just good for others, it's good for us too! Look at this:
David's Psalm of praise. I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.
(Psalms 145:1-7)
Here of course we see the Psalmist stating that he will be constantly praising God and declaring the wonderful deeds of the Lord, and that people will speak of God's righteous acts from one generation to the next, etc. And then David begins to rehearse some of those things.
But now look here:
A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
(Psalms 103:1-8)
Here, David speaks to himself. He tells his soul to bless God and praise Him. He tells his soul to "forget not all His benefits". And then begins to list those things.
It is a good thing to remind yourself of God's righteous deeds, His blessings, and benefits, and give Him praise and thanks and to bless His Name for all those things.
So quit rehashing all the doom and gloom in your life. Rehash what God has done, from ancient history all the way to your own life. It will help you keep
perspective. You yourself will learn the righteousness of the Lord, His goodness will be solidified, if you will, in your heart and mind. "Keep your eyes on Jesus" is not just a line from a quaint song, it's good advice! How do you do that? Keep God's righteous deeds, His mercies, His benefits, His blessings, before your mind. Meditate on the goodness of God, all the time.
I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
(Psalms 77:1-4)
Here is a man who was overwhelmed with grief and troubles. He sought the Lord, he prayed, he cried and wept and couldn't stop. His soul "refused to be comforted". Nothing was working for him. It was so bad he was literally at a loss for words.
Ever been so troubled that you ran out of words in prayer? And just cried?
I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
(Psalms 77:5-9)
In such troubling times, in such travail and distress, he thought within himself, he deliberated within himself... "Will the Lord be favourable no more? Am I done? Is God done with me? Is this the end of the line? Is His mercy clean gone forever? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Is He angry with me, and has He made my heavens brass and turned off the flow of his tender mercies?" Surely you have perhaps wondered such things? Has there been a time when you've hit the bottom, when things have gotten so bad this is where you're at?
Wondering if God has finally had enough of you and tossed you aside?
And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
(Psalms 77:10-12)
He acknowledged that was his infirmity, or weakness. "Here it is God, all laid out and all cards on the table. I've hit the bottom, and now I'm wondering just where are you!"
BUT...
"I will remember..." Remember what? He makes the conscious, decisive effort to remember the years of God's power and blessing.
He makes a conscious decision to focus his thoughts on the works of the Lord, and to TALK OF GOD'S DOINGS.
Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
(Psalms 77:13-20)
And he begins to list those mighty acts of God of old. He is reminding himself of just who his God is. He remembers to remind himself that God has a PEOPLE, and he being one of those people has a God who DELIVERS. So that he can trust God to deliver him, too.
There's a reason to rehearse the mighty righteous acts of God. So that we can learn of God's righteousness, His character, who He is. So we can know Him a little better. This will help keep us on the straight and narrow, and also keep us through the dark, trying times of tribulation.
Because God keeps his Word.
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