Righteousness: The Protection
Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV) The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.
The term “oaks of righteousness” is a metaphor that describes a person who lives in a way that pleases God.
Why does God want us to walk in righteousness?
John 14:15 (AMP) “If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commands.”
God wants us to live righteous because He desires to protect us.
Protect — “to cover and shield from injury, damage, or destruction.”
2 Samuel 22:3-4 (NLT) My God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. 4 I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and He saved me from my enemies.
Psalm 3:5 (NLT) I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.
Psalm 32:7 (NIV) You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 34:7 (NLT) For the angel of the Lord [Jesus] is a guard; He surrounds and defends all who fear Him.
Psalm 34:19 (NLT) The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
Psalm 37:39 (GNT) The Lord saves the righteous and protects them in times of trouble.
Psalm 57:1 (NKJV) And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by.
Psalm 121:7-8 (NLT) The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Psalm 139:5 (NASB) You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.
Proverbs 18:10 (NLT) The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly [righteous] run to Him and are safe.
St. Patrick’s Breastplate:
“Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me,
Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ
when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.” —Maewyn Succat (St. Patrick)
A. God is interested in our well-being.
B. We can either invite or hinder God’s protection over our lives.
1. Righteousness protects my heart
Ephesians 6:13-14 (ESV) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness…
Proverbs 4:23-27 (NLT) Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. 25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. 27 Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.
2. Righteousness protects my family
I think it’s pretty self-explanatory why God…
-tells men to love their wives.
-tells wives to respect their husbands.
-Couples to submit to one another.
-hates divorce.
-hates sexual sins.
-tells children to honor their parents.
-tells parents not to provoke their children to wrath.
-tells us to love and encourage one another.
3. Righteousness protects my church
1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT) I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.
4. Righteousness protects me from the enemy
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NASB) But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
5. Righteousness protects my witness
Isaiah 59:15-17 (NKJV) Then the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice. 16 He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor …17 For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.