Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Jeremiah 23:5-6 "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness."
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS
It was a hard time to live as God's prophet. The kings of Judah were godless men who hated God's prophets. They not only tried to imprison them, but also to have them killed.
As hard as it was for Jeremiah and God's prophets, it was just as hard for the rest of God's remaining followers. They saw their neighbors worshipping at pagan altars. Sacrificing their children to Molech. Worshipping Baal. And at the same time, still attending worship at the LORD's Temple. God's faithful followers heard the message of Jeremiah loud and clear, Jerusalem would fall because its people had turned away from the true God.
But God had not forgotten those who still followed Him faithfully. He never does. And so He sent a note of comfort and encouragement through Jeremiah. The King that God had promised would come from David's line was not yet here, but He would come. And with Him would come a reign of righteousness and peace. The followers of God would be safe under the wings of this mighty King.
In His note of comfort, God gave a name to this King for the people to hold on to: The LORD our Righteousness. The times were evil. The people were evil. God's people knew their hearts also were stained with sin--but the LORD would be their righteousness!
This name for Jesus comforts us still today, and it serves a valuable witnessing tool as well. For this name encapsulates the Good News which we desire to share with our friends and family. The LORD is our Righteousness.
How sinless and perfect is the LORD? 100%. Through faith in Christ that righteousness becomes ours. 100%.
