The Garment of Praise

I think you would agree with me, clothing is important. Wearing the right garments or clothing for the right occasion does make a difference. We wouldn’t send our children out to play in 90-degree heat with a heavy coat on. We wouldn’t head off to work in short sleeves if it was 28 degrees and snowing. Would we ever see a football player on the field wearing a Sunday suit? 

The Bible has a lot to say about clothing. The Lord is clothed in majesty and strength (Psalm 93:1). In Revelation 19, the saints are described in majesty, “clothed in fine linen, clean and white”. In Genesis 3:21, speaking of Adam and Eve, the Bibles says that God “clothed” them. In Luke 15, the best robe was put on the prodigal son who had returned home. Isaiah 61:10 speaks of the robe of righteousness. There are many other scriptures that deal with garments of clothing.

 In Isaiah 61:3, the “garment of praise” is used in a spiritual sense to teach God’s people that the Lord was going to turn their heavy hearts into joy. To exchange their spirit of heaviness with the garment of praise. Change was coming.

 A few things about this “garment of praise”. It’s something we choose to wear. Whatever our circumstances, we can complain and pout, or we can choose to praise God and be thankful.  It’s an everyday garment, not just for Sunday. It’s an outer garment to be worn on top of our salvation, forgiveness, restoration, and righteousness. 

How about you, my friend? Are you wearing a heavy, sad countenance, or are you praising God for His goodness and grace? Put your praise on today!!

 

The Pastor’s Pocket

Pastor Bruce Freeman

 

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