Day 1 - The Lord Our Righteousness

DAY 1: Jeremiah 33:14-16 (New International Version)

14 'The days are coming,' declares the LORD, 'when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.15 In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.'

This prophetic text is set in the context of a divided kingdom – the Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of Judah. At the time, Zedekiah,whose name means “the Lord is my righteousness” was king of Judah. However, Zedekiah was not living up to his name. Part of Jeremiah's call is to declare God's judgment against evil kings like Zedekiah. More than merely denouncing evil, God reiterates His promise to bring forth a righteous king from King David's line. “Branch” is a Messianic title. Unlike the current kings, this Messiah King will do what is just and right. He will reunite the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah; the promise is for both of them. At that time, God's people themselves will receive the name “The Lord is Our Righteousness.”

Even hundreds of years before the birth of the Christ child, God made it clear that our righteousness is found in Him and not in our own efforts. Thanks be to God for this gift of His love.