Daily Devotions
A man who claimed to be a citizen of the United States and also of England was arrested in a foreign country for a terrible crime. He was tried, court-martialed, and condemned to die.
The British and American representatives did all they could to save his life but their plans failed. He was destined to be put to death.
On the day of his execution, he stood out in the open field. Soldiers were ready with their guns. Just before the time to shoot, out walked the representative of the English government and the representative of the United States.
To the astonishment of everyone watching, they wrapped the English flag and then the American flag around the condemned man.
Then, the two men said: “If you fire on this man, you fire on the English and the American armies and the English and the American navies. He is covered with the flags of these governments.”
The executioners lowered their guns.
This picture of a condemned man protected from the death sentence beautifully illustrates the spiritual significance of “Jehovah-Tsidkenu.”
Though we are guilty of sin against God and deserving of death, Jesus wraps us in His righteousness, and protects us from God’s judgment. He is “the Lord Our Righteousness.”
This wonderful name for the Lord appears in the writings of the prophet Jeremiah. In those days, Judah was ruled by wicked King Jehoiakim, who was anything but righteous. His rule of God’s people was marked by idolatry, social injustice, greed, murder, oppression, and forsaking the covenant of the Lord.
In contrast to Jehoiakim’s wickedness, the Lord showed Jeremiah that He was sending a righteous King to lead His people.
“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. ” (Jeremiah 23:5–6, NKJV)
We realize that this coming King that Jeremiah foresaw is Jesus Christ. In order to provide His people with salvation and righteousness, King Jesus willingly suffered a criminal’s death. And, in dying, He paid the price for our sin and provided us His righteousness.
When we stand before God, we have no righteousness of our own. We cannot say, “I’ve never sinned. I’m righteous and blameless.” No, every one of us stands before the Lord as sinners. Jesus however speaks on our behalf before God: “Father, I have covered them in My righteousness.”
God looks at believers through Christ-colored glasses. Because He does, we are fully accepted.
Have a great day and keep moving forward!
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