Focal Passages: Jeremiah 23:5-6; Romans 3:21-26; 10:1-4, 9-10
Have you experienced tragedy or suffering in your life? If you have lived long enough, it is most likely that your answer will be, “Yes.” Sometimes, suffering or tragedy comes because we live in a sin-saturated world or because of our own sinful actions. Other times suffering comes because it is God-appointed – either for our judgment or for our holiness – sometimes both. Such was the case for Israel.
God was bringing judgment upon His people for their unfaithfulness and rebellion.
But, in Jeremiah 23:1-6, God promises that after the judgment He would gather up the remnant of His people and set a King over them and His name will be called, “The LORD is our righteousness.” Of course, this is a prophetic promise that is ultimately fulfilled with the advent of Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ name, “The LORD is our righteousness,” is extremely significant because it reveals His character and nature. Everything about Jesus is good and right. His thoughts, actions, and attitude are perfect.
Indeed, there is no sin in Jesus Christ. This doctrinal truth is important for the Christian because, as mentioned earlier, life can be filled with suffering and hardship.
How one responds to the suffering is oftentimes connected to how a person views Jesus. For example, knowing that Jesus is righteous does not mean that you don’t hurt when tragedy hits. It does not mean you don’t experience depression or pain in stressful situations. It does not mean you will not have feelings of sadness in times of loss.
But, what it does mean is that when the difficult times occur you can rest in the fact that God’s decision to permit or appoint hardships in your life is not and will never be motivated by malice, sin or wickedness, but only by His infinite righteousness, justice and love. It is like the old hymn says, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.”