The Gifts of Righteousness
October 6, 2020
And this righteousness will bring peace. Yes, it will bring quietness and confidence forever. Isaiah 32:17 NLT
Isaiah 32 is “messianic.” It’s a prophetic foretelling of what it would be like when Jesus came. Verse 1 announces with joy, “Look! A righteous king is coming!” Then the rest of the chapter goes into great detail about what the result of the coming of the king will be for his subjects. While this was initially written as an introduction to Israel of what the reign of King Jesus would be like for them, the application to our own lives as followers of Jesus is powerful.
The leaders who follow Jesus will shelter the people (v. 2).
Everyone who wants to see and understand truth will (v. 3).
Even hotheads will be sane and calm and full of understanding (v. 4).
Ungodly fools will not be heroes or respected (v. 5).
When the Spirit of God is poured out from heaven, justice and righteousness will rule, and this righteousness will bring peace (vv. 16-17).
What a great picture for the nation of Israel! But it is also a terrific picture of what happens in the life of a person when they honestly become a Jesus-follower. Perspectives will change, values and ways of living will change. When, through their surrender to Jesus, the Spirit of God is poured out on them from heaven, righteousness will rule in that person’s life. Righteousness is the right thing. Do you recognize and remember that?
Like Isaiah said to the nation of Israel, when righteousness rules, there is peace in hearts and lives. “It will bring quietness and confidence forever.” This quietness and confidence that comes from the peace of God can bring a supernatural quietness in your spirit and a confidence in your decisions. And, as verses 2-5 of Isaiah 32 point out, the people who are impacted by your leadership will enjoy great improvements in their lives, and peace will reign. Peace and chaos are the same in this regard—they are both highly contagious, even viral, and will spread wider and more swiftly than you imagine. When you open your heart to the rule of the righteous King, how wonderful will be the spread of righteousness and peace.
- Which results of the reign of King Jesus described in verses 2-5 are most needed in your current situation?
- Which blessings of the rule of righteousness are you currently enjoying?
- One of the biggest incentives to follow Jesus one hundred percent, even in chaotic times, is the knowledge that this is the only path to peace. Think about how you have seen that in your life, and thank Him.