"And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins." - Isaiah xi. 5.
Mark these expressions, my soul, concerning thy covenant God in Christ.
The Lord condescends by them to represent both his righteousness and
faithfulness, as they are engaged to make good the purposes of
redemption, in the Father and the Son. Jehovah's righteousness, and
Jehovah's faithfulness, are blessed securities for this purpose; for so
saith the Holy Ghost. "God is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins." Wherefore? Because "Christ is the end of the law for
righteousness. to everyone that believeth." And do not overlook the
striking figure of the girdle, which is chosen to represent it by; for
as a man binds on the girdle round his loins, as a strengthener; so
Jehovah takes to himself the righteousness of his dear Son. "Let him
take hold," saith Jehovah, "of my strength, to make peace with me, and
he shall make peace with me," Isaiah xxvii. 5. This is the girdle of
Jehovah, which compasseth him about, and cleaveth to him all around; so
that his people, whether they are behind or before, may lay hold of the
girdle of his perfections, and hang upon them, and depend upon them,
and even when God's providences seem to frown, or the Lord seemeth to
have turned his back upon them. Oh for grace and faith both in
Jehovah's covenant faithfulness, and Christ's righteousness, thus to
trust, and thus to stay; for he is faithful that hath promised.
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