Jeremiah 33:14-16 - "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and He shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.'"

I am glad Jesus is my righteousness. When I look at my own, apart from Him, what do I see?

Maybe not the big, splashy sins. I have never murdered anyone, committed adultery, been a burglar or a thief. But I have been a sinner, oh yes—proud of heart, slow to love, quick to get angry, afraid to trust God. If God kept track of all my sins, even for a single day, I'd be in deep trouble. I'm glad He doesn't.

I'm glad He looks at Jesus instead.

For that is what Jesus is—our righteousness, the clean, pure goodness that covers all of our brokenness. When He forgives and washes me clean, I know that I really am clean—because He suffered and died to make that a reality. When He dresses me in His own righteousness, clean and holy, I don't need to be ashamed, even standing in front of God—because Jesus is enough. And because Jesus has risen from the dead and lives forever, I don't need to worry that somehow, someday, I will lose these gifts of love. No, as Hebrews 7:25 says, Jesus "is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."

If you trust in Jesus, He is your righteousness, too. And because all your sins and shame are covered, you are free to live—free to be everything God created you to be, glad and trusting and creative and blessed. And together we can look for ways to serve, ways to say "thank You" to the wonderful Lord who loved us so much He gave Himself for us—to make us His own.

WE PRAY: Dear Lord, You are my righteousness and my blessing. Thank You. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. What other names would you use for Jesus, besides "our righteousness"? He is also our ... what?

2. Why does it set you free when you truly know that God isn't holding your wrongs against you anymore?

3. What would you like to do with your new freedom?

Today's Bible Readings: Ezekiel 27-29    1 Peter 3

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