Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness. – Isaiah 41:10
When we look up the word “righteousness,” we typically find a definition like “being morally right.” But when it comes to God, righteousness means something much deeper. Everything God does is right—not because He follows a set of moral guidelines, but because righteousness flows from His very nature. It is not a concept He created or adheres to. Rather, righteousness is a description of who God is.
God Is the Source of All That Is Right
Nothing exists apart from God—not even the way we think about concepts like goodness, love, or righteousness. When we say “God is love,” we must resist the temptation to project our human understanding of love onto Him. Love exists because God exists. We can only understand love because He reveals it to us. He defines it by His own nature.
The Attributes of God Reflect His Identity
We often use words like righteousness, holiness, mercy, and love to describe God’s attributes. But these descriptions don’t define God. It’s the other way around—God defines them. When He says He is righteous, He is revealing something essential about Himself. We wouldn’t even understand what righteousness means if God hadn’t made it known to us and given us the capacity to grasp it.
God’s Greatness Leads Us to Humility
Recognizing that all truth and goodness originate in God should fill us with awe. It humbles us. When God makes promises—such as to strengthen, help, and uphold us—they are powerful because of who He is. These are not empty words. They carry weight because they come from the all-powerful Creator.
God’s Love Gives His Promises Power
God does not act out of obligation. He is not bound by anything outside of Himself. Yet, He chooses to love us. He chooses to be with us. His promises are rooted in love, not duty. This love goes beyond anything we can fully comprehend, because it is not just something He shows—it is who He is.
The Presence of God Drives Out Fear
When we understand that God is truly with us, it changes everything. The One who created all things, who controls time and circumstances, walks beside us. And He does so with love. While we may still experience fear at times, as our faith grows and our understanding of God deepens, that fear begins to fade. The more we comprehend the vastness of His power and the depth of His love, the more we trust in Him. Fear loses its grip when we embrace the truth of God’s love for us.