“Are you ready to boogie?! Are you ready to dance for joy!
Raise your brightest smile up to God; He’s the one we’re praising today!
Salvation has covered you and Christ’s saving grace is shining all over you
like a 70’s sequined pant suit!!
Those bell-bottom jeans cover you like a dazzling robe of righteousness as you twirl and spin; like a prom king and his queen, dressed in their best and crowned with glitter and rhinestones.”
That, my friends, is the “Disco Version” of Isaiah 61:10.
I’m sure you are very impressed by my literary dexterity and creative prowess. That, or you’re chuckling to yourself, shaking your head slightly, and muttering, “Oh, you have really dated yourself, Girl.”
Now that I have your attention, and perhaps your sympathies, we’ll look into the real Isaiah 61:10.
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”
Isaiah 61:10 (ESV)
These chapters from Isaiah were given by God to the “The Remnant,” a small group of Israelites who survived the invasion of the Assyrian army, were exiled for decades because of their disobedience, and then returned to their homeland. God reassures His chosen people that they are still chosen, still blessed and loved, still heirs to His salvation and still wrapped in His goodness.
It’s a proclamation that they are still His, even after all that has happened, and NOW it’s time to celebrate and praise Him!
Are you ever like the Remnant?
Do you need reminding that “He has clothed [you] with the garments of salvation; He has covered [you] with the robe of righteousness?”
I do. It’s kind of like this…
There’s a knee-length white linen jacket of a beautiful quality and cut hanging in my closet. The way it flows and drapes made me love it the moment I saw it. It’s the kind of garment that fits every curve, hugs you in all the right places, and makes you feel like a million bucks.
BUT…
Even though I take it out and consider it for every special occasion, I don’t wear it often. It was given with love; and yet, I don’t wear it with that love in mind.
Perhaps the problem is I forget that I have been given this lovely gift and I belong in it.
The curves that it fits are mine.
The right places that it hugs are my places.
The way I am meant to feel about myself, it makes me feel that way.
So, why don’t I wear it like it’s mine? When this “robe” has been paid for and given to me, even CHOSEN just for me, why do I let it hang in the closet?
People walk around with many burdens and bruises that obscure the knowledge of this loving gift. Shame, anger, hurt and fear are just a few. When my heart is stuck in these, the understanding of what Christ has done and why He did it for me is pushed out and left in the closet.
Christ gave His all so that I would be covered in His “robe of righteousness.” When He chose to take my sins to the cross with Him, “He clothed me with the garments of salvation.”
But we have to make that choice, sometimes daily, to put on the robe of Christ's righteousness; to accept his love, grace and forgiveness, and His miraculous transformation of our lives. We have to choose to take the beautiful white jacket out of the closet and wear it with joy!
And on the day I leave this earth and stand before God, do you know what He will see when He looks at me? He will see Christ’s righteousness wrapped around me like a robe, covering me in salvation. I will be white as snow and all my sins will be forgotten! And I will dance for joy at the foot of His throne!
This is why we celebrate today, dear sisters and brothers! It’s why we dance, why we boogie, and why we put on the beautiful white jacket and shine like a disco ball!
Let’s shine up at God and praise Him for this amazing gift of LOVE:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
John 3:16-17 (ESV)
Make a choice TODAY to dance! Strap on your platform shoes, warm up your disco moves and show that JOY!
For you, dear one, are chosen and cherished by a loving and gracious God.
You are His and He is yours. I think that deserves a celebration!
Now, go dance the night away!
Shalom,
Namra
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