Waxing Faith

“But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe.” – Romans 3:21-22a

Today’s Divine Drama

Genesis 3 shows us paradise lost. The serpent’s lie, the forbidden fruit, the awful sound of God walking in the garden while Adam and Eve hide. Joshua 3 displays God’s faithfulness as Israel crosses the Jordan on dry ground. Job 3 gives us the darkest lament in Scripture as Job curses the day he was born. Psalm 3 reveals David’s unshakeable confidence in God’s protection. Proverbs 3 calls us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts. Isaiah 3 warns of coming judgment on rebellious Jerusalem. Matthew 3 introduces John the Baptist and Jesus’ baptism. Acts 3 shows Peter healing a lame man and preaching Christ boldly. Romans 3 explains how God’s righteousness comes through faith alone. 1 Thessalonians 3 displays Paul’s pastoral heart longing for his converts’ growth.

Ten chapters spanning the heights of heaven and the depths of human misery. But as I read them together, one truth emerged with stunning clarity.

Every chapter points to the same reality: God keeps His promises even when His people break theirs.

The Pattern of Divine Promise

What struck me first was how Genesis 3 and Romans 3 spoke directly to each other.

In Genesis 3, we see the problem. “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings” (Genesis 3:7). Man’s first attempt at righteousness was to cover their sinfulness with fig leaves.

But Romans 3 shows us God’s solution. “But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe” (Romans 3:21-22a).

No more fig leaves. No more self-made coverings. God provides the righteousness we need through Christ.

John Calvin saw this connection clearly. In his commentary on Genesis, he wrote: “The covering of fig leaves was a testimony of their folly rather than an alleviation of their nakedness.” But then in Romans, Calvin celebrates: “Christ is our righteousness, because by His obedience He has reconciled us to God.” The same God who provided animal skins to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness in Genesis 3:21 now provides Christ’s righteousness to cover our spiritual nakedness.

This is Scripture interpreting Scripture at its finest. The solution to Genesis 3’s problem comes through Romans 3’s promise.

When Crisis Reveals Character

But here’s where the day got even richer. Job 3 and Psalm 3 created this beautiful tension that taught me something profound about faith in crisis.

Job 3 is brutal. “Let the day perish on which I was to be born, and the night which said, ‘A man is conceived’” (Job 3:3). This is a man at the end of his rope, cursing his own existence.

Raw, honest, devastating.

Yet Psalm 3 shows us David in his own crisis, fleeing from his son Absalom, but responding completely differently. “But You, O Yahweh, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head” (Psalm 3:3).

Same kind of crisis. Two different responses.

What’s the difference?

It’s not that David was stronger than Job or that his crisis was less severe. The difference is perspective.

David saw God as his shield in the midst of the storm. Job, at least in chapter 3, could only see the storm itself.

Thomas Watson summarized this beautifully: “A Christian’s troubles are like the lion that Samson killed, out of which came sweetness.” David found the sweetness. Job, in chapter 3, was still wrestling with the lion.

But here’s what Proverbs 3 taught me about both responses. “Trust in Yahweh with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Both Job and David had to learn this truth, just at different stages of their crisis.

Job’s raw honesty in chapter 3 isn’t faithlessness. It’s the beginning of learning not to lean on his own understanding.

The Gospel’s Forward Motion

Matthew 3 and Acts 3 showed me something beautiful about how the gospel moves forward through history.

In Matthew 3, John the Baptist prepares the way for Christ’s public ministry. “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I” (Matthew 3:11a).

Then Acts 3 shows us that same gospel power flowing through the apostles after Christ’s ascension. Peter heals the lame man and declares: “And His name, by faith in His name, has strengthened this man whom you see and know” (Acts 3:16a).

The same power that was present at Christ’s baptism in Matthew 3 now works through His followers in Acts 3. The gospel doesn’t just save individuals. It creates a movement that transforms the world.

Richard Sibbes explained this progression: “Christ first receives gifts for Himself, and then gives them to us.” Matthew 3 shows Christ receiving the Spirit’s anointing. Acts 3 shows Him giving that same power to His church.

Divine Faithfulness in Human Failure

Joshua 3 provided the theological framework for understanding everything else. God tells Joshua: “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow Yahweh will do wonders among you” (Joshua 3:5).

Notice the pattern. God calls His people to holiness, then He acts on their behalf.

But here’s what Isaiah 3 adds to this picture. Jerusalem has failed to sanctify themselves. “For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their actions are against Yahweh” (Isaiah 3:8). When God’s people fail to sanctify themselves, judgment comes.

Yet the beauty of today’s reading is that even human failure doesn’t stop God’s promises.

Genesis 3 shows the first human failure, but it ends with a promise. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel” (Genesis 3:15).

The first gospel promise, given right after the first sin.

John Owen taught: “The foundation of the church’s peace is the unchangeableness of God’s love.” That’s what I see woven through today’s ten chapters. Unchangeable love working through changeable people.

Paul’s Pastoral Pattern

1 Thessalonians 3 brought everything together with such pastoral beauty.

Paul writes: “For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would be in vain” (1 Thessalonians 3:5).

Here’s a man who understands both the reality of spiritual warfare (the tempter) and the necessity of pastoral care (sent to find out). Paul knows that the same God who keeps His promises through human failure also works through human instruments to strengthen His people.

This connected powerfully with Proverbs 3’s call to wisdom. “Do not let lovingkindness and truth leave you. Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart” (Proverbs 3:3). Paul embodies this. His pastoral care flows from both lovingkindness (genuine concern for the Thessalonians) and truth (sound doctrine about spiritual warfare).

Thomas Brooks reminds us: “Christ will be a minister’s crown in the day when worldly crowns shall be cast into the dust.” Paul’s ministry in 1 Thessalonians 3 shows us what that crown looks like.

Sacrificial love for God’s people combined with doctrinal fidelity.

The Righteousness That Satisfies

As I finished reading this morning, Romans 3 kept echoing in my mind. “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). This is what every other chapter in today’s reading was pointing toward.

Genesis 3’s fig leaves couldn’t cover the shame. Job 3’s despair couldn’t solve the problem. David’s confidence in Psalm 3 pointed toward the solution. Proverbs 3’s call to trust anticipated it. Isaiah 3’s warning demanded it. Matthew 3’s baptism pictured it. Acts 3’s healing demonstrated it. 1 Thessalonians 3’s pastoral care protected it.

But Romans 3 explains it.

God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ.

Not earned, but received.

Not achieved, but given.

Not human effort, but divine gift.

Charles Spurgeon captured it perfectly: “Christ’s righteousness is better than Adam’s righteousness ever was, for Adam’s was but human, while Christ’s is divine.” That’s the promise that meets every paradise lost. That’s the righteousness that satisfies every spiritual hunger.

I’m resting in this truth. No matter how far we fall, no matter how dark our crisis, no matter how complete our failure, God’s promises remain. His righteousness through Christ covers every fig leaf attempt with divine perfection.

Thomas Watson was right: “Till sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet.” Today’s reading showed me both the bitterness of sin and the sweetness of Christ. And friend, there’s no comparison.

How is Romans 3’s righteousness speaking to your own heart today? What connections are you discovering between the Old Testament’s promises and the New Testament’s fulfillment in your reading?