In my devotional reading I keep coming across the word “upright” or “uprightness.” It’s a good thing. Here are a few examples:

-“May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you” (Psalm 25:21, ESV).
-“Whoever walks in uprightness fears the LORD…” (Proverbs 14:2, ESV).
-“My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart” (Psalm 7:10, ESV).

The word “upright” translates the Hebrew word yashar. It’s about more than just standing up straight, of course. It’s about being morally upright in the eyes of God. It’s having integrity. It’s living in a way that is just.

I’m guessing that you’re dealing with a tricky situation. You have to navigate a problematic relationship, or you have to make a significant decision. Perhaps you’re even tempted to act in a way that is beneath you just to get ahead, or to cut a corner because… well, it’s just easier.

Morally speaking, that’s called slouching.

But the challenge you face is an opportunity to be upright—to do what is right in the eyes of God.

When you are upright, you are living with the humble-yet-confident poise which rightly belongs to a royal child of God.

If you are in Christ, that is who you are.

As you navigate that relationship or decision, be upright.

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Notes:

—We call it the place to go if you want to grow. In this video, Michelle Boston explains our small groups program at Westminster. She’ll be coordinating them beginning the week of September 18, 2022! 

–This Sunday, September 4, 2022, I return to the pulpit at Westminster Church in Barrie. Nothing like a sermon on Satan as the “father of lies” to kick off September.

–The Up Devotional is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on September 5, 2022.