I’ve fallen into kind of an interesting “coloring pattern” as I’m reading Proverbs this year. As I’ve headed into the “one-liner” portion of Solomon’s book of wisdom, for some reason (Can anyone say, “Holy Spirit?”), I’ve become fixed on “the righteous.” So far, in Proverbs 10 through 12, I have highlighted almost 30 verses that have to do with truths about, or promises for, “the righteous.” So far, at least, “the righteous” factor prominently in the wisdom of God.

For example . . . The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry . . blessings are on the head of the righteous . . . the mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life . . . the wage of the righteous leads to life . . . the desire of the righteous will be granted . . . the hope of the righteous brings joy . . . the righteous is delivered from trouble . . . by knowledge the righteous are delivered . . . the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life . . . the root of the righteous will never be moved . . . the house of the righteous will stand . . .

And there’s more. Doing a quick check with my online concordance and, in the ESV, the term “the righteous” is found 57 times in the Proverbs.

I’ve been highlighting these verses because I think they apply to me. That I am “the righteous.” And why would I think that? Not because of what I bring to the table. But because of the gift of God made available to all who have become convinced of the gospel. The good news that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners . . . that He died for our transgression . . . paying the price in full . . . and that He rose on the third day as evidence that His atoning sacrifice was sufficient and that He had conquered sin and death. And in this good news, there is the righteousness of God made available to all who believe.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”   (Romans 1:16-17 ESV)

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but trusts Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness . . .    (Romans 4:3-5 ESV)

These proverbs I’m reading become so personal because of who I am in Christ Jesus. That, by faith, I am “the righteous.”

Amazing . . . Overwhelming . . .

Funny how reading some short one-liners on everyday practical wisdom can trigger such extraordinary heaven-ascending worship.

Such is what happens to “the righteous” . . .

All because of grace . . . all for His glory!