The LORD Our Righteousness

Imagine, if you will, a farmer blessed with the richest soil—land that once produced the finest harvests. Then, one day, a furious storm strips the earth bare; all the good topsoil is swept away, leaving only barrenness. No matter how hard the farmer toils—planting, watering, laboring—the ground no longer yields fruit. This desolation echoes the harrowing Dust Bowl of the 1930s, when countless American farmers watched their fields turn to dust despite their relentless efforts.

This image speaks to our spiritual reality. After Adam and Eve’s fall, humanity lost its spiritual “topsoil”—natural innocence and a right relationship with God. Like Dust Bowl farmers, we labor desperately to reclaim what has been lost, yet the ground of our hearts remains dry and infertile. The prophet Jeremiah proclaims God’s promise in this barren context:

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days, Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness’” (Jeremiah 23:5-6, ESV).

Our Need for an Outside Savior

We sin—sometimes knowingly, sometimes unknowingly. A careless word, a missed opportunity to show kindness, or a failure to do what’s right: these are blemishes on our record. No human effort can restore the lost richness of our relationship with God. We are, as it were, farmers in a drought—we can labor until we’re weary, but without the “rain” of God’s mercy, nothing will grow.

But God has not left us in our spiritual Dust Bowl. Out of love, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, the “righteous Branch” foretold by Jeremiah. Jesus came to restore what was lost. He lived the perfect, obedient life we could not, then died the death our sins deserved. Imagine again your fields dry and barren—then someone else arrives, does all the work, tends the crops, and hands you a harvest you could never produce. This is what Jesus has done for us: "For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous" (Romans 5:19, ESV).

The Gift of Imputed Righteousness

Sometimes people believe that if they try harder or do better, God will accept them. Others think their kindness or the Holy Spirit’s inner work will suffice. But the truth is deeper: we are made right with God only because of what Jesus has already accomplished—His perfect life, death, and resurrection, a gift to us.

The apostle Paul explains:

"For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:17, ESV).

When we trust in Christ, God credits Jesus' righteousness to us—as if we were dressed not in our ragged, soiled garments but in brilliant, spotless clothes. God sees not our failures but the perfection of His Son (cf. Isaiah 61:10). No matter your past—mistakes, regrets, or broken promises—this is true for all who place their faith in Jesus.

The Call to Trust—Not Just Try

Perhaps you’ve spent your life striving to be good, honest, and hardworking, yet you feel the weight of imperfection. The gospel is not an invitation to self-repair but to receive what Christ has accomplished:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8, ESV).

Some will tragically reject this gift, believing their own goodness is sufficient. Yet entry into God's presence requires perfection—a standard only Jesus met on our behalf. On your best days and your worst, remember: "the ‘clothes’ of Jesus’ righteousness" never change.

Acts 2:21 promises:

“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (ESV).

You need not clean up your life before coming to Christ. He welcomes the lost, the weary, and the broken—all of us.

Remember, Rejoice, and Tell the Next Generation

If you have trusted in Jesus, rest assured that your acceptance before God is secure—rooted not in yourself but in Christ. Give thanks for His faithfulness amid life’s storms and droughts. All our blessings—peace, hope, and assurance—come because we are clothed in Christ.

As you return to your homes, fields, and families, remember this good news: Jesus Christ is the Lord Our Righteousness (Jehovah Tsidkenu). He is the reason you are accepted, forgiven, and dearly loved by God.

Let’s be sure to give Him thanks and share this hope with our children and grandchildren as long as we breathe.