“In righteousness you shall be established…” (Isaiah 54:14)

Reading through the word of God can be compared to skimming through the surface of a ground that is treasure inhabited. While studying the word is like doing what it takes to discover inhabited treasure. Everything we do in the Lord with a lack of understanding will result to a lack of transformation. Psalm 47:7 stated, “For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding.” If praise worship requires understanding, every other area like studying the word of God surely requires understanding.
The Bible states, “…but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory now and forever…” (2Peter 3:18) One can understand that through studying the word of God there will be growth in the knowledge of God. However, there is no amount of studying that will help directly in the growth of grace. Also, growth in grace cannot be separated from growth in knowledge because they both go hand in hand. How then can we grow in grace and knowledge of God?
GROWING IN GRACE:
The Bible did not speak in tongue or any language to make it difficult for every believer or non-believer that read through about what it takes to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. It is written, “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” (2 Peter 3:17-18) Clearly, without further need or any interpretation, it is clear that to be Steadfast in the Lord is what makes a believer to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and savior.
WHAT IS STEADFSASTNESS?
Steadfastness is to be fixed in direction; firm in purpose, unwavering, firmly established or firmly fixed in faith. When you have a purpose in life then you will be fixed in taking a deliberate walk in the direction of your purpose. Daniel a young captive in the hand of king Nebuchadnezzar had a purpose to live for God. When he was offered the best food and wine which the king had, he declined and requested to eat vegetables and drink water instead, so that it would not defy his purpose. It was recorded of him, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the King’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” (Daniel 1:8) Daniel’s steadfastness could not be compromised with the king’s offer. Also, Daniel could not compromise when his life was on line for death sentence. At the time when he was about to be sentenced for praying, he would not deny His God when he went and prayed with his windows opened toward Jerusalem three times a day in the face of his persecutors. (Daniel 6:10-11) Daniel was steadfast and the grace of God that was upon his life had no bounds or limitation. With steadfastness Daniel was established in righteousness.
ESTABLISH IN RIGHTEOUSNESS:
Isaiah 54:14 commanded, “In righteousness you shall be established…” After this required command, the blessings that will make a believer of the word of God prevail were mentioned. Among such blessings are, “…You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. (Isaiah 54:14-15) “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn…” (Isaiah 54:17) The blessing of God that is packaged in being established in righteousness goes beyond imagination. Jesus Christ is our righteousness (2Corinthians 5:21). He came for each and everyone, but not all will accept Him. Anyone that claims to have accepted Jesus and not be established in Him is running a risk in life like the itinerant Jewish exorcists who took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches. The Bible recorded, “…the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”” (Acts 19:15-17)
To be established in righteousness is to be steadfast in every moment of our walk in the Lord. With steadfastness, grace will grow and knowledge will not fail. It will take loving God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our strength to be established in His righteousness.

Everything we do in the Lord with a lack of understanding will result to a lack of transformation.
When you have a purpose in life then you will be fixed in taking a deliberate walk in the direction of your purpose.
Tunde