Psalm 18: 20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he recompensed me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all his ordinances were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me. 

This was written by King David after he’d been saved by Yahweh from enemies. It always makes me uneasy when David places such great confidence in his own righteousness – as in fidelity to the law, to the will and ways of God. I would be too aware of my shortcomings to make such a bold statement.

A pastor friend pointed out how the death and resurrection of Jesus is God’s adaptive move to give life to all people. Life is given, not because of our own righteousness, but through Jesus’ righteousness received by grace. I don’t know that I’ve thought about Jesus as an adaptive move, but of course that’s right. And my anxiety over sin turns to thanksgiving to God. Amen.