We have the righteousness of God in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21. That is our unchangeable standing. Our righteousness is like filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6. There is a work of righteousness ~ laying down righteous pavers ~ to walk upright before the Lord in our changeable state.

Isaiah 32:17 says, ‘The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.” I think of the word ‘work’ here as a potter with clay. The potter has to work in water, so the clay can be molded.

Psalm 85:13 says, “Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway.” He always goes before us to prepare the way. No trial is happenstance ~ rather divinely orchestrated to mold us into His character.

As a potter centers the worked clay, so the Lord uses the pressures, hardships, trials, adversities to center us on Him. Our pathways were preordained. I believe everything we go through was set into the seed of our conception.