"Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: 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."  Isa 46:12-13 (KJV)

    Most people will concur that we must have some sort of righteousness to be accepted before God.  However whose righteousness and how one attains it is a matter of great difference.  The matter is once and again settled for us here in this wonderful passage in Isaiah (as all things concerning our need of salvation are in, and only in, this Holy Book).  I particularly rejoice in the language of Scripture and love the way God tells me that I had nothing to do with getting the only type of righteousness that God will look favorably upon: His own righteousness that He gives to undeserving and stouthearted sinners like me!  “I BRING near MY righteousness; it shall not be far off, and MY salvation shall not tarry: and I WILL PLACE salvation IN Zion ….”  He brings, then it is brought; My, then it is His to give or not to give; Not tarry, then it’s coming, brother, no rebuttal about it; I will place, then it is going to be set in the heart of us who are made to believe.  Boy, if this does not just totally warm the heart, head and emotions of the sinner saved by the grace of God in Christ Jesus, then you are of most men very miserable.  “Come thou fount of EVERY blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace; streams of mercy NEVER ceasing call for songs of loudest praise!”