Reflection: “In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell securely; And this is His name by which He will be called, ‘The LORD our righteousness.” (Jeremiah 23:6)
Response: How does one overcome the unexpected loss of a loved one, the betrayal of a trusted friend, or the trouble of a rebellious child? How does one recover from financial distress or significant health issues? Jeremiah speaks of God’s promise to care for His people despite arduous trials and sorrows. He declares hope in the face of their distress and promises them a better future. The promise includes two components: restoration and righteousness.
Restoration: God promised to step in and take control. He takes ownership and calls His people “my pasture,” “my people,” and “my flock.” God promises them hope. His people are no longer limited by their circumstances, but through their relationship with Him, He offers an opportunity to lead and provide them everything they need. When we turn our circumstances and disappointments over to Him under his rule—He then leads and draws us to a place of accountability, purpose, and fellowship.
Righteousness: God promised a righteous branch. The righteous branch stands for fidelity and uprightness. The Hebrew root for righteousness refers to an ethical or moral standard that portrays God’s nature and will. Psalms 145:17 says, “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” As leaders and believers, our uprightness should be defined in terms of God’s and not of ourselves. When we embrace God, we accept the “The Lord our Righteousness”—He is our righteousness. We possess an even greater hope for experiencing fruitfulness and success because He is with and in us.
Live exceptionally—in balance, freedom, and rest.™ The prospect to rebuild or restore ourselves can look impossible after experiences of loss, distress, or extreme injustice. But God. He is our righteousness. He is our advocate. He is our hope. Embrace His promise for restoration and rest in the righteousness of His care.