The Days Of The Blameless Known To God.

Adapted From A Sermon By

Philip Doddridge

The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever.

(Psalms 37:18)

Our sermon this morning by Philip Doddridge will highlight how The Days Of The Blameless Are Known to God.

Psalm 37:18: The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever.

Omniscience so evidently belongs to God that even heathens attributed it to the imaginary deities they revered; and the solemnity of an oath, which has been universally observed across ages and cultures, is fundamentally rooted in this belief. Yet, the acknowledgment and contemplation of such omniscience are so important that we should not be surprised by the frequent mention of the omniscience of the one living and true God in Scripture.

It is not merely stated in broad strokes but is highlighted by many points included within those broad statements. The guidance and comfort derived from these universal truths stem from their application to specific situations and events, and it is in this context that the profound principle is explicitly highlighted in the words of our text, "The Lord knows the days of the blameless."

This expression may appear nearly identical to the one that concludes the very first Psalm, "The Lord knows the way of the righteous";{Psalm 1:6} for it is clear that the terms "righteous" and "blameless" denote essentially the same concept. However, there exists a distinction between the two passages: the words in the first Psalm might specifically convey God's approval of the actions of the virtuous individual, whereas this passage extends further to encompass his vigilant observation of both those actions and the myriad events that occur to him.

Days, in the Scriptures, are frequently used to represent life; all the days of the afflicted are fraught with hardship, that is, his existence becomes burdensome and uncomfortable. The Psalmist writes, "You have made my days a few handbreadths;"{Psalm 39:5} "my days (that is, my life) are like an evening shadow."{Psalm 102:11} And consider how the life of a person encompasses both his deeds and the circumstances he encounters. The text, therefore, affirms that God knows and observes how each day unfolds for the virtuous person, observing both his daily thoughts and actions, as well as the events that befall him on a daily basis.

The use of the term "days" highlights how every particular action and event is known to God in a manner more emphatic than if broader terms were used. God is aware of all his behaviors: not only those actions visible to the world but also the hidden workings of the heart, which are as real as any outward deeds. These internal actions are tremendously important, more accurately defining one's character than external actions can, and they are, indeed, far more numerous.

God also perceives the diverse circumstances through which the upright individual navigates, be they moments of joy or of tribulation in their varied forms, understanding how he is influenced by them and how he responds to such conditions. Indeed, it is true that in all these ways, God also knows the days of the wicked; and the time will eventually come when he will reveal this, no matter how eager the wicked might be to question, "How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?"{Psalm 73:11} However, it is very clear from our text that God regards the good man with pleasure and favor on a daily, continuous basis; thus, by the same reasoning, while he remains true to his character, every moment of his life.

This sentiment is powerfully suggested in the final words, where it is stated, "his inheritance will remain forever"; that is, no matter how God might currently appear to overlook him, perhaps day after day, and year after year, he will ultimately balance all accounts. For he promises him an inheritance, an eternal inheritance: eventually, this will be granted, and regardless of the nature of his days on earth, he will forever be great, prosperous, and joyful, possessing that inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and does not fade, reserved in heaven for him.

No doubt, these words allude to this; whatever additional implications they might have in terms of the favorable way God, particularly under the Mosaic law, might have looked after the temporal affairs of the righteous man. This is the essence of our text, and as we delve deeper into its meaning, we will first consider, and then unfold, the profound truth it conveys: that the Almighty’s merciful and approving gaze is ever upon the righteous man, such that he knows and watches over, with benevolent care, the manifold circumstances he encounters. And then we will, in conclusion, hear a few additional words regarding his eternal reward.

I. We begin with the illustration of the general truth which the words lay down.

But first, let us consider the character attributed to the good man: he is described as the blameless, or the sincere, as the term might suggest. It implies a freedom from any intentional deceit which makes the character of a good man genuinely authentic. He has, indeed, his imperfections, and he laments them; but he is really what he professes to be, and he sincerely desires to be completely and entirely good.

He respects all God’s commands, esteems all God’s precepts concerning all things to be right, and he hates every false way.

The disposition of his heart before God is what he proclaims before men; and he yearns at all times, and in all situations, to uphold a consistency of character; he strives to pursue all that is righteous and to shun all that is wrong, no matter how enticing or beneficial it might seem. This steadfast path of genuine goodness he seeks to maintain in humble reliance upon Divine grace, in the manner of Caleb and Joshua, who followed the Lord completely. As he examines himself to ensure no hidden hypocrisy resides within, he surrenders to the scrutiny of God, echoing the words of that profoundly upright man, David: "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."{Psalms 139:23-24}

This is his character; yet it also includes a humble acknowledgment of his own imperfections and a grateful reception of that gospel grace extended to him, along with the righteousness and strength manifested in Christ.

Such is the character of the upright; Let us briefly ponder a few edifying and comforting truths encapsulated in this general statement, that the Lord knows their days. Here, there are two primary considerations we will delve into a little more thoroughly. He knows how all their days are spent, and he knows the myriad events that befall them each day.

1. He knows how all their days are spent.

He observes them in their acts of devotion, both regular and spontaneous; in their worldly occupations; during their moments of needed relaxation; and in their endeavors to advance his kingdom according to their various positions in life. Here are just a few examples that give an idea of how God sees the days of the upright.

i) God views the upright man in the devotions of every day, whether scheduled or occasional.

Devotion is one of the first and last acts that the eye of God beholds each day in the life of a truly upright and virtuous man. It would make no sense to imagine that he could exist in the world without acknowledging God. The upright do not echo the sentiments of, "What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit do we get if we pray to him?"{Job 21:15} but rather belong to a character of a different nature. The Lord knows that the upright, unless hindered by some urgent matter or an unexpected event that disrupts their routine, will raise their eyes to him as soon as they awaken in the morning. David expresses this, "When I awake, I am still with you,"{Psalm 139:18 NKJV} longing to imbue his heart with the early remembrance of God and a profound awareness of his immense goodness.

When the good man retires to his bedroom, closing the door to pray to his Father who sees in secret, his Father indeed observes in secret. He hears the voice that speaks in but a whisper, and hears it with delight; recognizing it as evidence of that uprightness and purity of spirit which cannot be satisfied with mere outward observance, if it is not accompanied with heartfelt reverence for God.

God recognizes the earnestness with which the humble soul recommits itself to him, places itself under his protection, grasps his covenant, yields to his will, and lays all its affairs and possessions before him to be managed by his discretion; all its abilities and faculties to be utilized for his service. He is aware of all its solemn worship, humble confessions, fervent requests, loving intercessions, and fervent praises.

And when the Scriptures are daily read, God notes the joy the upright man finds in them; with what diligence he ponders them both day and night; how sincerely he transforms them into prayer, with every command and every promise resonating through the voice of obedience and faith. That vibrant reliance on Christ, that deep awareness of obligations to him, which are integral to these private communions, is known and observed by God; and the upright soul is thereby made acceptable in the Beloved.

He is aware of the good man's sleep as well as his awakening; and just as every pious utterance that emerged during the day, amid work, toil, and concern, was noted and embraced; so too are the final, fragmented efforts of reverent affection, when the faculties of reason are on the brink of succumbing to sleep, barely rational, not disregarded, but with the spirit's willingness accepted despite the overwhelming frailty of the flesh.

In this way, the Lord knows the days of the upright, and all the humble, sincere devotion, both regular and spontaneous, that permeates them. And surely, when entire days are devoted to prayer, when the mundane affairs of life are set aside, so that every hour from dawn to dusk can be offered to God, as far as the necessities of the physical self will allow; we can be certain that the Lord recognizes such days, regards them with doubled delight, and, as it were, bestows upon them redoubled blessings.

ii) The Lord knows all those parts of the day which the upright man spends in the pursuit of his secular calling.

It is his will that in whatever vocation a man is called, there he should remain with God; and God approves of him in it. The good man inscribes upon the bells of his horses, as the prophet declares, "Holy to the Lord,"{Zechariah 14:20} and God discerns this dedication as clearly as he does the inscription upon the high priest's mitre.

God witnesses his diligence in his occupation; how vigilant he is not to squander time through extended breaks from work or by idly musing upon it; in this regard, it holds true for time as well as for material resources, that he who is slothful in his work is akin to one who wastes greatly. God also perceives his honesty in commerce, and how the good man is anxious not to let any ill-gotten gain stick to his hands, even when the opportunity for deceit is most tempting, and man might not detect the deception; indeed, he asks: But does not God know? Will he not search it out, he who "knows the secrets of the heart?"{Psalm 44:21}

God recognizes the submission in the spirit of the good man, though his work might be humble, though it might be menial, though it might place him under the authority, and sometimes perhaps the capricious authority of others; yet he sees how he accepts the wise providence that assigned his station, and that considers all in the context of eternity; preparing such honor for this humility, patience, and this diligence, which, as you know, is specifically mentioned of servants, to adorn the doctrine of God, their Savior, in all things. And, to say no more, God understands the good intention behind all that is done: which leads to the next point which is,

iii) That God knows the upright in those hours of necessary recreation which make a part of every day.

God knows our constitution, and he does not demand an adherence to either devotion or work that he knows to be unfeasible in our current state. He who has created such a variety of good things is willing for us to partake in them; to eat, drink, and enjoy the fruits of our labor; to allow ourselves necessary restful sleep, and he created nighttime, expressly so we may sleep more comfortably. And, just as the upright man receives his good permission and blessing in these moments of refreshment, so does he take pleasure in observing the attitude with which they are pursued; not merely for their own sake, but for God; in accordance with that overarching principle that encompasses our nights as well as our days, "whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, we do all to the glory of God."{1 Corinthians 10:31} Such a balanced approach is more pleasing to him than those religious austerities that would weaken the body and crush the spirit.

iv) The Lord knows the days of the upright in their daily efforts to promote his cause and kingdom in the world, and to advance the happiness of their fellow-creatures.

The heart of every generous man will be contriving generous actions; and the heart of every devout man will be contriving devout acts; and the God of love beholds this with delight. It is his own image, crafted within the soul by the touch of his grace, and he rejoices to see it; — to witness those noble faculties of nature, which will be either our glory or our disgrace depending on how they are employed or misused, being put to great and noble ends.

He discerns the kind and generous spirit that dwells within the heart of the good man; the empathy he harbors for the distressed, regardless of who they might be; and the fervent wish that, upon first encountering suffering, arises to offer some form of help. The good man may, and often does, devise ways to hide his generosity from his fellow beings; rather than boasting of a false gift, as Solomon aptly puts it, he conceals a true gift, striving that his left hand not know what his right hand does; but those acts of charity, as well as prayers, performed in secrecy, his Father observes, and will reward openly.

He also sees that noble self-denial to which the good man sometimes submits, in matters of food, clothing, and outward appearance, so that he might have more to give for charitable causes. He witnesses the heartfelt emotions stirred within by the sight of suffering which he cannot alleviate, except by prayer. And there are acts of charity for which both the rich and the poor can be equally fitting recipients; not merely in the case of of relief from physical pain or mental anguish due to any unfortunate development in one's affairs, by which, just as much as by bodily ailments, the affluent can suffer as much as anyone else; but also concerning their spiritual well-being.

The Great Father of our spirits knows the compassion and love that one eternal soul holds for another. He observes that portion of the days of the upright which is dedicated to the desire to act, within their modest sphere of service under the great Redeemer and Savior, as saviors of souls; by disseminating the knowledge of God, especially among the young, and bringing them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord; by upholding the honor of true religion amidst the numerous efforts to suppress and discredit it; by seizing upon appropriate moments to nurture and foster any positive influences that might occasionally touch the hearts of those around them, so that the seed of grace might flourish; by striving to invigorate and support those who are disheartened, to fortify the resolve and zeal of those who are genuinely committed to their faith but perhaps do not express it to the extent one might hope.

In these and many other endeavors for the advancement of God's kingdom and the cause of Christ, and for the salvation of souls, good men are frequently occupied, and as their days are thus passed, God knows and endorses them. Thus, he understands how all their days are employed; but in addition,

II. He knows all the events which occur every day to them. And here the thought will be particularly illustrated in these three views; he sees the days of their prosperity, the days of their affliction, and the day of their dissolution.

1. He knows the days of their prosperity.

All the blessings and comforts that make their days fruitful are bestowed by his decree. "You crown the year with your bounty,"{Psalm 65:11} says David; "The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season."{Psalm 145:15} "You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit."{Job 10:12} "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."{Psalm 23:5}

It is truly gratifying to ponder not only that God established the universal law by which the corn, wine, and oil are brought forth, and the manifold blessings of human life are sustained; but also that his providence directly provides for his people. When a good man takes his seat at the table, whether it be richly or modestly laid, he is nourished by the hands of God, who has always intended that the very sustenance he then partakes of should be used and enjoyed by him.

When he embarks on a journey and meets with success along the way, it is God who safeguards him in his departures and arrivals. All the joy that brims within a well-disposed mind, upon beholding nature in all its splendor and pleasures, was meant for this very individual who relishes it, by God, who delights in the attention he pays to these wonders, and the happiness of heart he sees in them; as it is written, he takes pleasure in the prosperity of his servants.

And when the good man retires to his bed, calm and serene, surrendering to peaceful sleep, God grants his healthful rest; and he looks upon him with fatherly satisfaction, like a parent observing his sleeping child. Thus it is that God is acquainted with the nights as well as the days of the upright; indeed, and in a metaphorical sense, with the night of his afflictions; those somber moments that seem to transform the day into the darkest night; which, as we next consider,

2. The Lord knows the days of his adversity and distress.

No matter how numerous, how shadowy, or how prolonged they may be, he knows them all; he sees all those trials that the eyes of other men perceive, sometimes with a lack of sympathy; yes, and those hidden sorrows which are, perhaps, carefully kept from nearly every other gaze, and which thus seem to gnaw, as it were, at the very core of one's being. As David articulates, "All my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you."{Psalm 38:9} Those afflictions that twist the heart with a pain unknown to all others are profoundly known to God, and the good man's tears he collects in his bottle.

Though to worldly eyes, God might appear to have neglected, to stand distant in times of distress, he is there, he is close; and he has just, kind, and gracious reasons even for holding back his immediate intervention. He watches like a refiner beside the furnace when it seems to burn too fiercely. As Job so aptly declares, "He knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold."{Job 23:10} Indeed, once more,

3. God knows the day of dissolution, the day when the upright man is to take his last farewell of human life: that important, dying day, the Lord knows it. He dies by God's appointment; the time and the manner of his death are under his gracious notice and direction. And God is near in the whole process of that sad solemnity.

When the endeavors of friendship and medical skill fail, and even those of prayer appear to be in vain, it is God who, out of love, allows for this. When the upright man seems most forsaken; when he gasps, and weakens, and breathes his last, God is near him; when he utters for the final time, "Father, into your hand I commend my spirit," He receives it with the heart of a father; he takes the departed spirit, gathering it to himself, as Scripture describes. And how does he welcome it?

Oh, there opens a radiant scene which we cannot go into further, although it is so closely connected to our very text. But much is conveyed in few words; his inheritance will be forever. When the Christian lies still and lifeless, when he has no more claim here, no further stake in anything under the sun; when his face is covered, nevermore to be seen by man, his coffin sealed and borne away, his body laid in the cold earth, where he decays as something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment; when days have ceased for him, with no distinction between the dawn, the bright noon, and the tranquil evening from the gloom of midnight; yet even then he goes to a real inheritance, and looks back upon this world of illusions with a silent rejoicing, "Blessed be God that I have done with it forever!"

And thus he transitions to an everlasting day, to that light which shines for the righteous. And when all this visible world, which outlived him and looked so vibrant while he seemed lost from it, becomes one vast graveyard; when the sun turns to darkness, and the moon to blood; he will continue to shine, yes, he will then shine most brilliantly. His inheritance will be forever; for he is one of those to whom the Lord of glory will say, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."{Matthew 25:34}

III. And now, to conclude only with a suggestion for reflection: what lessons, and what comforts does this contemplation offer?

What instruction? Who would not desire to be truly upright? To be recognized by God as such? Who would not decide to maintain his integrity, regardless of the cost, and not to forsake it even until death? That God may know him in this regard; that God may look upon him with such joy; that he, in turn, might raise the gaze of his soul, so to speak, and meet that of a benevolent, an approving God? O my soul! let your days be ones of uprightness; not days of deceit, of vanity, of indulgence, of idleness, but days of integrity, so that this joy might be yours!

And on the other hand, what comfort must this provide to an upright man in all events and in every situation! The Lord knows all his days; each happening, every deed, and every thought within them. What particular comfort, especially when men criticize him! When they ascribe his noblest actions, as they frequently do, to the basest motives; and accuse him of deeds for which he would not barter his life; what a joy it is to consider that God knows all his days!

His hidden inclination of heart towards God, his concealed goodwill towards all mankind, and even towards those very foes who condemn and slander him! And when he is brought to the humblest condition in this world, with no inheritance here, scarcely a place to lay his head, or the means for the next day's sustenance in his grasp; what a delight to ponder, "Nevertheless, there exists an inheritance that will be forever! I am constrained now, but soon I will be fully in possession of my estate, and then I will never loose it; I will never be unable to savor the pleasure it will bring; for my inheritance is not in fleeting wealth, or earthly soil, or grain, or wine, or oil; but the Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore will I hope in Him; the strength of my heart, and my portion forever!"

May this be your experience, and mine; and we shall rejoice together through endless ages.

Amen!