Today’s Scripture Threshings for Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Today’s Text: Jeremiah 23:1-8
Key Verse: ”Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” (vs. 5, ASV)
We have learnt that righteousness exalts a nation and that sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). This was true of the house of David, which though, has all the promises, they all were sunken and ruined when the prophet cried against Jeconiah as a result of sin. None of his seed should ever sit upon the throne of David (Jer 22:30). God’s promises are never to be taken for granted. Yes, he never changes His mind, but He does change His man.
He made a covenant with David just like He did with some of us. We know that He is faithful to His promises. But we also know that He does not wink at ungodliness. However, we have here a great news: the gospel in the Old Testament — an illustrious seed will rise who will raise the banner and bar of righteousness — Jesus Christ, who perfectly kept the law. He walked in perfect obedience. Not only did He not break the law, he fulfilled them. He led a sinless life before the Lord and before the world. He is the righteous branch of David.
But that is not where the good news is: the good news is in the fact that He imputes His righteousness upon all who trust Him. God made the grandest provision, through Him, not just for reclaiming of inheritance and the promise, but for restoration of eternal covenant and relationship. Jesus is our Tsidkenu, our righteous link with God, and the righteousness we so desperately theologically, existentially and spiritually need.
Paul, as a Pharisee, who had always trusted in legalistic holiness understands the meaning of Jesus Christ our righteousness when he came to trust in Him. He, Paul knows, that we need more than the “righteousness in the Law,” or that is defined by law. We need the righteousness resulting from being found in Jesus Christ. He said: “not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ" (Philippians 3:9). Until we, like Paul, come to distrust our human efforts, and to trust in the finished works of Jesus Christ, we cannot experience the qualifying righteousness.
We must walk in complete obedience, but we must bear in mind that our sanctification is never from personal obedience but from our union with Christ. It is by Him we call on God, and bow every knee. Our only plea is that Christ died, and is risen again; and has achieved our redemption according to the gospel. Do you believe Him?
Quote for the Day: “No single one of us has any trace of qualifying inward or outward disposition before the righteous God, but Christ’s propitiation predisposes us for mercy.” (Simon Olatunji)
Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus for being my righteousness. I trust you for everything you’ve done and everything you promise. Help me trust you more as my perfect righteousness, so that I don’t have to fear, but by that same faith I may live righteously before you. Amen.
With all my Love and Prayer,
Simon Wale Olatunji, PhD
The Darling Bishop (DaBishop),
2321 S Belt Line Rd., Suite 144,
Grand Prairie TX 75051 USA
Email: reachingout@hopeforallnations.org
BBMme: E3F988D2
[Today’s Scripture Threshings is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA. Feel free to use it in your family altar and personal quiet times; and to contact us for further enquiry, help and partnership.]
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