Thursday, September 17, 2009

Today's Devotional

Today's Verse

I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness.
~Isaiah 61:10 (this is a great chapter in Isaiah, I would recommend reading it in its entirety.
Thoughts on today's verse...

Isn't it a joyful thought? That the Lord our God would provide us with salvation and clothe us in righteousness! And this not because of who we are, but because of who He is! In this chapter of Isaiah is one of my very favorite verses, …to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness… Isn't that wonderful?

In those times, when persons were sorrowful, mourning or repentant they would dress in sackcloth and ashes. Sometimes they would fast in addition to this dress. When this time of sorrow, mourning or repentance was over, they would wash themselves, be annointed with oil and dress in something much better than sackcloth. But in this chapter of Isaiah, God is the one who will remove the sorrow, the mourning and be dressed in a garment of praise! We will experience the joy of being in His presence!

Matthew Henry's concice commentary on Isaiah 61 reads in part: Christ was to be a Comforter, and so he is; he is sent to comfort all who mourn, and who seek to him, and not to the world, for comfort. He will do all this for his people, that they may abound in the fruits of righteousness, as the branches of God's planting. Neither the mercy of God, the atonement of Christ, nor the gospel of grace, profit the self-sufficient and proud. They must be humbled, and led to know their own character and wants, by the Holy Spirit, that they may see and feel their need of the sinner's Friend and Saviour. His doctrine contains glad tidings indeed to those who are humbled before God. This can be found at http://www.christnotes.org/
My prayer...

Oh Lord my God! I am overwhelmed and awed by Your great love for us (for me)! That You would make provision to make us beautiful, to annoint us with oil and to cover us with garments of righteousness and praise! Lord, may we humble ourselves in Your presence. May we simply allow You to do this to us and for us. In Your name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

3 comments:

  1. How wise it would be for us to hold to this in times of mourning, sorrow and trials, knowing that the Good Lord has so many wonderful things in store for us and that we can be clothed in His glory.

    blessings and hugs,

    marcy

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  2. Oh I have worn these clothes so many times throughout my lifetime but knew the day would come that God would welcome me....and I will see the fully finished tapestry before me.....I welcome it but until it arrives I hope I can be all he wants me to be....:-) Hugs

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  3. Lord, continue to cover me.
    I love your music, Tamara. We have the same taste in Christian music...I sing along....Thank you!!
    Smiles from Jackie

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