And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. (ESV) 

The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. (NIV)

And this righteousness will bring peace. Yes, it will bring quietness and confidence forever. (NLT)

Dive Deeper 

This week’s verse is found in Isaiah 32. In the preceding chapter, Isaiah appealed to the men of Israel to return to the Lord. Now, he turns to the women and challenges them to repent and turn back to Himself. In Isaiah 32:16, the prophet writes about justice and righteousness, and he helps the reader see the effect of this righteousness in 32:17.

The Worldly Pattern

Sometimes, followers of Christ live as though we’ve put on our own righteousness. We might think and live as if our actions have earned us a favor and even salvation from the Lord. The world preaches a gospel of performance and “being good enough,” and we can easily give in to the pattern of our world. We know what righteousness looks like, so we do righteous acts and flee from wickedness and unrighteousness.

But we must realize we can never put on our own righteousness. Psalm 14:3 says, “All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one” (NIV). Paul repeats this same message in Romans 3:10-12. When we try to produce righteousness on our own, it leads to chaos, disorder, and anxiety. We’re always going to fall short of God’s standard and perfection. 

We’re often marked by a lack of peace in our relationships with loved ones and the Lord. We try to achieve more and more, and seek to prove our worth and value in our achievements and accomplishments. Rather, a life surrendered to God’s righteousness alone produces a supernatural restfulness.

The Effects of the Righteousness of the Lord

Isaiah points us in a different direction. The righteousness we obtain from the Lord leads us to peace, quietness, and trust forever.

• Peace—In the world we have tribulation, but in Christ we have peace (John 16:33).
• Quietness—The Lord will fight for us. We only need to be silent (Exodus 14:14). In conversations with others, we can listen quickly and not have to win (James 1:19).
• Trust forever—We can approach the Lord with trust and confidence, not leaning on our own righteousness, but on His (Hebrews 4:16). And we can do this forever and ever. 

The breastplate of His righteousness is the solution to our endless striving, effort, and failed attempts to be good enough. We simply need to put on His righteousness to experience the fruit of peace, quiet, and eternal trust and confidence. This confidence and peace comes in the knowledge that though we will never be righteous enough on our own, we can receive it freely in the Lord Jesus.

The righteousness of God leads us to trust solely in the Lord’s work for the forgiveness of our sins. It leads to security that comes not from being good enough on our own but through His righteousness, which takes full effect in our lives. John writes, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13, ESV).

Written by Scott Kedersha

Scott Kedersha is the Marriage Pastor at Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, TX. He's married to Kristen and together they're raising 4 young men. Scott is the author of the books Ready or Knot? and The Ready or Knot Prayer Guide, writes at scottkedersha.com, and is the co-host of the marriage podcast More Than Roommates.

 

Challenge: 

Consider where the breastplate of righteousness sits on your body. What does it protect? What lies beneath the breastplate? While every part of our body matters and has a purpose, the breastplate protects the vital organs we need to survive, including our heart and lungs. How does God’s breastplate of righteousness protect your inner spiritual life?