And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness. Deuteronomy 6:25
To achieve righteousness through following the law - this is what Moses asked of the people. If they didn't follow God's laws, they would lose the land promised to their fathers, but if they followed God alone, they would prosper.
History proved that the Israelites failed. This blessed nation would become a nation filled with idols, and eventually the Assyrians and the Babylonians would occupy the land. Oh, they would have the temple of the living God in their midst, yet their hearts would stray. God would punish them for not following His laws, and the land would be lost. Later, upon their return to the land, they would never again become a nation that worshiped idols.
As God commanded, the nation of Israel became a nation that followed the law, but like most things in human hands, it became an extreme distortion of God's intent. Following the law was a legalistic means of achieving righteousness. Jesus was born into a nation where Pharisees and Sadducees bickered over the tiniest detail. Although there were no graven images to be found, their hearts were far from God.
Lord, I seem to live my life in the extreme. Highs or lows - there doesn't seem to be much in between. Help me to find the balance. I long to follow You. Quiet my heart. Bring me back to a place of righteousness - not by my own strength, but by the blood of Jesus.