New Clothes

Isaiah 61:10 I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Luke 24:49 “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
 
ADVENT – it is the time of waiting, anticipating the Christ to come. We are now in the Second Advent of the Christ. His word promises: Revelation 21:5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
   In response to God’s promise, in the final seven advent lessons we will look at the “new promises” from Isaiah that are restated in the New Testament. Through Isaiah, God promised the Messiah would come to earth not just once, but twice.
   What do you wear to worship? It used to be the phrase “Sunday best” in America meant you were wearing your best clothes. That phrase has become obsolete, turned to “Sunday casual”. Perhaps that is one reason the church in the U.S. has generally become casual about Jesus. Maybe our outer dress is of little consequence. After all, it’s what we wear on our heart isn’t it? But would it be more appropriate for our clothes to reflect the garments God bestows upon our hearts?
   How gracious is your God to dress you in new clothes! He removes your sin-filthy rags (See Zechariah 3.) to clothe you with garments of salvation and a robe of righteousness. Saved in Jesus, you are as a bridegroom, lavishly dressed. Head to foot God’s holiness marks you as his. The jewels of God’s Spirit brighten your countenance. You are as a bride in a husband’s loving, devoted eyes.
   Yes, in Christ, you are dressed in the best. The first apostles certainly new this. Refined, made new in their hearts, they quickly showed the world they were clothed with power from on high. Clothed with salvation on their lips and healing in their hands, the apostles began to clothe the world with Jesus’ life-giving blood. Garments of praise and robes of righteousness became the needed fashion to transform a pagan world.
   Do you know what you are wearing? Are you aware God  has so lavishly dressed you? What would happen if “Sunday best” became your “Daily Best”? How would your life change if you dressed in God’s gracious love and righteousness each day? Would people see your garments of praise in the way you live? Would they know God covers you with his power?
   Would you know it?
 
Prayer: LORD God, I thank you for the new clothes of my salvation. Keep my heart and mind diligent o dress in you each day, so the world will see your garment of praise covers my life. May I always be particular about the way I dress my heart for you. Amen.