God's righteousness leads to peace, quietness and assurance

Isaiah 32:17 (NKJV): The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.

The word 'righteousness' here is 'tsedaqah' in Hebrew, which means 'rightness, rectitude (correctness), or justice', from the word 'tsadaq' meaning 'to be right, to make right, to cleanse, to clear self'. Isaiah 32 here speaks of the reign of God's righteousness, and of course, the work and the effect of God's righteousness for those who believe and walk in it.

The word 'peace' in this verse is 'shalom' in Hebrew, which encompasses 'peace, safety, wellness, wholeness, happiness, health, prosperity'. From the verse above, I can therefore say wherever and whenever God's righteousness reigns, there will be shalom peace.

The word 'quietness' here is 'shaqat' in Hebrew, which carries the meaning 'being settled, being still, or being at rest', while the word 'assurance' here is 'betach' in Hebrew, which means 'security, confidence'.

Today, in the New Covenant, this righteousness of God has been revealed through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus when He died for you on the cross (and His blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins) some 2,000 years ago. Indeed, He is in the Old (Covenant) concealed, and in the New (Covenant) revealed!

Romans 3:21-24 (NKJV) says, 'But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through redemption that is in Christ Jesus'.

In 2 Corinthians 5:21, the apostle Paul wrote, 'For He made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him'. The word 'righteousness' here is 'dikaiosune' in Greek, meaning 'justification', from the word 'dikaios', which can mean 'to be innocent, to be holy (set apart), to be justified, to be made right, to be clear'. 

Like one’s name is being cleared, the Lamb of God (i.e. the Lord Jesus Christ) who takes away your sins (John 1:29) has also cleared your name before the throne of God. Thus, you can now come boldly to the throne of grace (into His presence), that you may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16), and it is by grace (not by works, or by trying to earn it) through faith (see Ephesians 2:8-9).

The Bible also says this righteousness of God is a gift for you to receive. As a believer in the New Covenant, you receive this gift (of righteousness), and that's how you reign in life through Him. Romans 5:17 (NKJV) says, 'For if by the one man's (i.e. Adam) offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ'.

Let's go back to Isaiah 32 now. The first verse says, 'Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice'. This king mentioned here is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who is the Messiah, the King of kings and Lord of lords (Psalm 45:1-7, Revelation 19:16). And because He reigns (Isaiah 32:1), you reign too! The Word of God says, 'As He is, so are you in this world' (1 John 4:17). By the way, the word 'reign' in this context means 'to have the authority, or to rule with authority', even over all the power of the enemy in this world (see Luke 10:19).

A life, a home, a ministry, a business entity, or even a nation that is filled with bickering and strife (i.e. disharmony) is the exact opposite to the promises of God in Isaiah 32:17. The only way is to return to the Lord, and allow His righteousness to reign again. That's how the shalom peace of the Lord will also return and reign again! And as a matter of fact, where there is shalom peace, there will also be prosperity! Isaiah 32:15-16 says it so aptly, 'Until the Spirit (of righteousness) is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest (i.e. rich, lush greenery). Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field'.

Notice that things weren't good (read the verses prior to Isaiah 32:15-16), until the Spirit (of righteousness) is 'poured upon us'!

May any 'wilderness' of yours be also turned into 'a fruitful field', and 'the fruitful field' is counted as a 'forest' (which speaks of 'the richness of heavenly treasures on earth'). This is my prayer for you for the rest of this year. Amen.

Isaiah 32:18-19 (NKJV) then says, 'My people will dwell in peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet ('undisturbed' in KJV) resting places, though hail comes down on the forest, and the city is brought low in humiliation'. 

People of God, be fully assured His will for you is that 'you will dwell in peaceful habitation', and to find security and refuge in Him, no matter what you see (or hear) on this earth, or no matter what happens in these last days. ‘Hail comes down on the forest’ here speaks of 'natural calamities', whereas ‘the city is brought low in humiliation’ here speaks of 'economic downturn, or political turmoil'.

The Bible says, 'If He is for you, who can be against you?' (Romans 8:31) To know that you are the righteousness of God in Him (Jesus Christ) is to know that 'God is for you'.

And because 'God is for you', you also know that you have the shalom peace, security, and quietness in Him as well - in your life, in your home, and in all that you put your hands to do. The Word of God in Isaiah 32:17 says so! Believe, and you'll have it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.