His Righteousness Guides Us

"Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face." (Psalm 5: 8)

We do not need our own righteousness, but God's righteousness:

"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." (Isaiah 64: 6)

Notice that in this verse, the term "righteousness" is plural, which suggests that the abundance of our own works will not work as well as the Finished Work of Jesus. Not only that, but our own righteousness works are filthy, and filthy rags only make a dirty mess even dirtier.

How is this good?

We need perfect righteousness, and we receive this wonderful gift through Jesus:

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

This wonderful promise was brought to us through the same prophet who would condemn our self-righteousness:

"In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee." (Isaiah 54: 14)

And whose righteousness establishes us?

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 54: 17)

This righteousness comes from God Himself, a righteousness into which He guides us, too:

"He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." (Psalm 23: 3)

The greater our revelation of God's righteousness in our lives (revelation of what He has given us, not a need to receive more of it), the more that we will find our God leading us by His peace (Colossians 3: 15)

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14: 17)

and then

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." (Colossians 3: 15)

His righteousness produces peace in our lives, and His peace guides us, and with great joy!