12 I am filled with joy and my soul vibrates with exuberant hope, because of the Eternal my God; For He has dressed me with the garment of salvation, wrapped me with the robe of righteousness. It’s as though I’m dressed for my wedding day, in the very best: a bridegroom’s garland and a bride’s jewels. 11 The whole earth sprouts newness and life in the springtime, and green shoots break through the well-seeded garden soil. That’s what it is like with the Eternal’s victory – the Lord will cause justice and praise to sprout up before all the nations, for all peoples to see. – Isaiah 61:10-11 (The Voice)
New clothes. Doesn’t it feel so good to wear a new outfit? Crisp. Clean. Fresh colors. Even if it isn’t straight from the store, a “new-to-you” outfit has the same effect – there’s something about feeling good on the outside that works on our inside as well. Just ask anyone who has ever experienced drastic weight-loss.
So at the end of our time in Isaiah 61, we see that we are filled with joy and hope through the new clothing of salvation and righteousness. He dresses us in the very best because when we choose to follow Him, He adopts us as His faithful daughters.
Don’t we want the same for our own children? We want them to wear clothing that is tasteful and comfortable, right? (Or just doesn’t have mud and grass stains on the knees if we’re talking about my boys here.)
One of my favorite verses is Colossians 3:12, which reads “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
He first dresses us in salvation and righteousness but then gives us the free-will to dress ourselves in the above virtues. We can choose to wear compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Or not.
But when we become new followers of Him, we automatically get to wear a new outfit.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
And a new outfit isn’t all we receive. We get a whole new being.
He makes all things new.
When the seedlings sprout in the spring, there is new life. When He offered up the blood of His son, there was, and continues to be, new life. When a child is conceived, there is new life.
He is the Master of All Masters of New Life.
He refines and rebirths and regrows and reassembles us until, in His perfect timing, He is ready for us to be the justice and praise that will sprout up before all nations, for all people to see.
So He gives us the new clothing of salvation and righteousness. We can choose to wear compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Then we can wear those clothes in public and share them with others.
What clothes do you want others to see you wearing? How do you hope others see you? We do not live to please men (Galatians 1:10) so please don’t think I’m saying to do so; however, I like to think of this now and then because it’s a good way to assess my heart. What other thoughts do you have about either these last two verses or Isaiah 61 in general? I’ve loved breaking this down with you, friends!
I want others to see my “attire” as unrestricted. I want others to see my “attire” as free flowing like a beautiful crisp sundress blows in the wind on a warm summer day. I want others to see my “attire” in an array of colors- some days solid, some days bare, some days bright white and other days mismatched, because isn’t this so true of life. I desire to “wear” upon my landscape the tattered and the newly sewn. The tattered on days I need to re-visit and re-examine seasons gone by and newly sewn on the days in between. No matter what I put on, more than anything my desire is to be accessible and approachable.
Beautiful words here, Jennifer. Thank you. And amen.
i can’t be nearly as poetic as Jennifer, (don’t worry nat, no jealous comparisons here!) , but i would want folks to see me as kind, patient and welcoming. that when they were to look at me they would be able to tell there is something “different” from the norm. that i would help them with whatever they would ask, (without being a people pleaser!) because i am the hands and feet of Jesus.
Lisa, you make me giggle.
SO true – I want the same. I know it doesn’t always happen but what a great visual and reminder to remember. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
I love how you make it clear that it is our choice to put on those virtues of Christ. They are there for our taking . . . we just need to put them on. I want people to be able to see Jesus shining through me. That they are able to tell that there is a difference, a sweet and gentle spirit.
Me, too, Tammy. Agree 100%! Thank you for sharing your thoughts here!
For me, I would like to people who I haven known before I came to Christ a new person. I was made whole and I would like them to see that. This is something I am constantly working on since most of them have known me my whole life and dont live close by so they tend to forget or ignore that I am changed.
As for the others I would like them to see me as compassionate, kind, welcoming, graceful. I want set good examples and give hope to the ones who have lost it.
Me too, Jo-Anne! I strive for this but admittedly, there are days I fail MISERABLY to wear this kind of clothing. Thankful for His new mercies each day. Amazing grace.
I feel that, so often, I choose to wear the opposite of the wardrobe that Jesus offers. I choose impatience and the fear of what others will think of me, self-judgement and the judgement of others…and wonder why I don’t feel victorious that day. But lately, I’ve been feeling empowered by God and I see myself standing in front of this glorious wardrobe, putting on a gown layered with grace, compassion, patience….one that assures my identity is found in Christ, not in the approval of man. And standing in that attire, I feel bold. Not this shriveled, weak person hiding in a dark corner, but shining bright because I’m actually allowing the love and acceptance and forgiveness of Him to shine through me. This is big, because next week I face a situation that causes me to so easily revert to that shackled way of thinking. Of fear, intimidation, condemnation. But that day, I will choose this wardrobe of grace and to stand tall and face it with faith and courage, because I AM a new creation.
You hit the nail on the head, Kate. When our identity is deeply-rooted in Him, we cannot be shaken. When I do choose to wear the opposite clothing (impatience, irritability, etc.) it’s always because I’m “off” with Him a bit – I haven’t spent time in His presence or I haven’t made my relationship with Him a priority or I’m letting others determine who I am…the list could go on. Yet, new mercies are given each day – so thankful for that.
Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. – Galatians 1:10
My dream is not only for others to see Jesus in me, but also for me to be able to see Jesus in me. Isn’t it always easy to look at someone and compare not only your outer image to theirs, but also your inner image. I want my image of me to be a true reflection of Gods image of me…..how freeing that would be! It would release us of all the lies the devil tries to fill us with when we ‘dress’ each morning. To God be the glory, great things he hath done!