Oct 19 – First, Righteousness!

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

First of all, put the Lord first. Seek His righteousness, give it the highest priority, and exalt it above everything else. When you seek the righteousness of God, He will also provide what you need—health, strength, wisdom, prosperity, and other blessings.

Every morning, when you wake up, seek the face of the Lord with a joyful heart and say, “Lord of righteousness, I thank You!” Instead of reaching first for the newspaper or your morning coffee, dedicate yourself to seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Here, the Lord speaks first about righteousness, then peace, and then joy in the Holy Spirit. Yes, righteousness, peace, and joy are beautifully connected with one another.

Let us look towards the heavenly Kingdom to which you and I are journeying. That Kingdom will be filled with righteousness. No one who practises injustice or perverts justice will be found there. The Apostle Peter, after writing about the events of the last days, concludes with this glorious hope: we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13).

Whether it is the new heaven, the new earth, the sea of glass, the New Jerusalem, or Mount Zion—all these glorious realities of eternity will be marked by the righteousness of God. Sin and impurity will never be found there. The Lord Himself, the God of righteousness, will reign there.

The Apostle John was given a vision of eternity and wrote: “I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True.” (Revelation 19:11)

The One who rides the white horse judges and makes war in righteousness. Therefore, let your eyes continually look to the God of righteousness.

Isaiah gives us a beautiful picture of the righteousness God gives His people. He rejoices greatly in the Lord because God has clothed him with the garments of salvation and covered him with the robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10).

Children of God, when you are saved and surrender yourself to the righteousness of the Lord, He clothes you with the garments of righteousness and covers you with the robe of righteousness.

What a glorious privilege! One day, in heaven, you will be clothed in the righteousness of the saints and will glorify the Lord throughout eternity.

Verse for further meditation: “The fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” (Revelation 19:8)