January 15

“I will restore your judges as in days of old, your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City." Zion will be redeemed with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness" (Isaiah 1:26-27 NIV)

Recently, Sweden has seen several court cases, where it appeared that those in the jury, who were to judge in crucial cases, had determined the outcome of guilt before they even had heard all the facts of the case. A fair verdict can never be achieved this way. The prophet Isaiah is complaining over a similar yielding among the people of God. He describes a situation where weak people lacked legal rights, bribes and corruption occurred frequently and everyone tried to line their own pocket. But then comes the encouraging message that God wants to save the people through righteousness and justice.

The theme for today’s devotion is the city of righteousness. Some translations speak about the fortress of righteousness. A fortress is a place with high protecting walls. It is a place of refuge. God himself is described as a safe fortress in many of the psalms. The Lord is a fortress for Christians and when we live in Him, we too become a refuge for suffering people who have been hurt by all wickedness around them.

Prayer
Lord, I want to live under Your protection – in the city - the fortress of righteousness. Help me to become a refuge for suffering men and women.