Isaiah 46:13 I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
God promises righteousness and salvation throughout the Bible. These blessings will come near and shall not delay. God’s righteousness came to us, to Zion, for the people of God, who are called God’s glory. When the Church receives God’s righteousness the Church is the glory of God. The Church, all believers in Jesus Christ, show forth the glory of God: God’s character shines forth from the people who believe. The character of God is immense love. For this reason the disciples of Christ are called to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth.
This righteousness that believers receive by faith is the righteousness of God. This righteousness we receive is from God, by God, and it belongs to God. For us it is an “alien” righteousness, but God shares it with us: it becomes ours as a gift and we enjoy it. And we enjoy all the benefits of God’s gift of righteousness: life, love, peace, joy, hope, grace and blessing, and all such consequences. It will not be far off: it is as near to us as our own mouth and heart, both of which confess Jesus Christ. This faith confession comes by hearing the Word of God.
The salvation that God placed in the Church is God’s Salvation, for salvation belongs to the Lord. It is all the doing and working of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Since God does it all we can have no doubt about it whatsoever. We may doubt God because of rampant unbelief in the human soul, but it is easier to doubt if we thought anything about righteousness and salvation depended upon us. Salvation does not depend even 1% upon us. If so, then we would have reason to wonder. But if it is God’s, there is no room or excuse for doubting, wondering, “hoping,” or wishful thinking. It is certain and it is near.