In Isaiah, chapter eleven, verse five, “And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.” Righteousness and faithfulness are integral qualities of the reign of the Messiah. These requirements are for all who would rule in the Messiah’s church. Righteousness is first mentioned in Genesis fifteen, verse six, with Abram, who later became Abraham. “And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness.” Faithfulness is included even though the word is not physically present.
In the Old Testament, faith meant either “trust in” or reliance upon.” Meanwhile, faithfulness relates to belief, which means to persevere in trust by manifesting an obedient faithfulness. Abram, his original name, before God changed it later, possessed this kind of faith. His heart was turned toward God in an enduring trust, obedience, and submission. God saw Abram’s heart-attitude of faith and counted it to him for righteousness.
Faithfulness is officially mentioned along with righteousness in First Samuel twenty-six, verse twenty-three, “The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’S anointed.” David was speaking here to Saul when the former king was stalking him. However, because of these qualities of faithfulness and righteousness, God allowed David the upper hand against Saul, who was having a difficult time finding him.
Righteousness and faithfulness in a believer or servant of God will enable them to overcome any circumstance, situation, or trouble in everyday life. As saints are well aware, Abraham and David had these qualities, but as we know, the challenges for them in life were not easy. Both endured and held on to God through adversity throughout their lives.