God Clothes

Clothes are a big deal. They keep us warm, cover our bodies (thank God) and they give expression to our personality and style. What we wear is a statement of who we are and how we feel. This is why fashion is a major industry and why so many capitalize from it. Have you noticed that when you wear certain clothes, you act and feel different? For example, a tux or a formal dress changes the dynamics of not only how the person looks, but also how they feel. The same is true when you get home and throw on your favorite joggers or jeans to relax, it changes the feel and flow of what you do. For me, it’s almost like the outfit requires a different approach and behavior based on the occasion. It also has lifted me to think and speak differently in the moment.

Another interesting element is fads change, and so many of us desire to change with them. This speaks to us being current in the flow of what’s hip. Some people mock this but I think it’s a reflection of creativity when retro things coming back again. This is fun and it also “shows my age” as what was the style a long time ago, is now cool again. Which leaves me the choice to either have fun with it or reject it. I choose to have fun, knowing who I am and at the same time trying new things or old things again.

However, I don’t believe we are what our clothes are!

That’s fickle and short sighted. Nice clothes or cheap clothes do not define our worth or value in the eyes of God. He sees a treasure in us and His plan is to reveal it through us. But, clothes do play a part of in how we see ourselves and that is big. For so many of us, our identity is wrapped up in multiple layers of our background, family history, experiences and the internal belief we have about us. It’s from these factors and more, that we express our feelings and our expectations through what we wear. Even as today is Halloween, we’ll see kids and adults alike be creative and wear a costume to express something they value. This is a statement and it speaks very loud on Halloween and in everyday life.

So, what does this have to do with me and God? I believe everything.

This is because there are “God clothes” and He wants us to wear them. These clothes are spiritual and they lift our spirit and soul. This is vital as we navigate the peaks and valleys in life with a proper attitude and perspective. Yes, these clothes do more for us than we can see or feel, which is why it’s important to know who He is and what His clothes do in our lives.

Isaiah 61 tells us what these clothes are and what they do.

“To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Isaiah 61:3

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful 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 with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

Isaiah 61:10

Notice in verse 3 we have the Garment of Praise.

God’s clothing for us is a garment of praise and this combats a spirit of heaviness. Our part is to put this on by praising God every day. This is through our prayers, singing and lifting our heart to God with thanks. Praise exalts what God has done and who He is in our lives. This is one reason why it’s good to remember different moments of God, so it lifts our heart to praise Him. When we praise God, any heaviness has to go. This could be sadness, anxiety, nervousness, depression, confusion and more, but it doesn’t matter because when we praise Him these things can leave. Now, they may not go right away or we may not feel different but we shouldn’t stop there. God deserves our praise whether we feel like it or not. No matter what we’re facing He is still God, which is why the bible says, “let everything that has breath, praise the Lord” Psalms 150:6. So I encourage you today to praise God out loud. Even now, think about at least one thing and begin to praise Him for it. Heaviness has to go when we wear the Garment of Praise.

Notice in verse 10 we have the Garments of Salvation and the Robe of Righteousness.

The Garments of Salvation are the greatest apparel we can wear from heaven because it means we have eternal life. Everyone can put on the Garments of Salvation because everyone can receive Jesus. When we receive Christ as our savior, we put on these garments. This is huge because when we have these clothes on, we are accepted into the family of God. There is no greater miracle than being saved through Jesus. He erases all the old things and causes all things to become new! So if you haven’t received Jesus, then ask Him into your heart and life today. It’s your moment! If you already have received Christ, then please remember you have this Garment on daily. You’re the King’s kid which gives you access to healing, peace, joy, confidence, grace, mercy and more. Therefore, let’s remind ourselves to live accordingly and to remember we are more than what we see or think about ourselves, we are His!

Then we have the Robe of Righteousness. I love this piece of clothing! Think about this, the devil says, shame on you. God says, shame off you! Jesus is the only one that can lift off shame, clean our conscience and give us a new identity. This is the inside out change God has for us and the Robe of Righteousness speaks to this. Did you know that we can be right with God and right with people? Not because of what we do but because of what He did! We don’t earn anything from God, including going to heaven. This is all by grace through faith, so we can’t brag about it, all we can do is worship Him for it!

Today, the Robe of Righteousness reflects our posture and position with God. We’re not peasants begging for bread or begging for His love, We are His sons and daughters with His arms acceptance wrapping around our imperfect, stained filled lives. He’s giving us hope that we can be healed, we can be changed and that the mistakes of yesterday or today do not define us, He does! This is why we must wear our God Clothes every day because they’re covering our internal world with heaven’s agenda and promise. Just like our outfits cover our bodies, His clothes cover our spirit and our soul. They shape how we see ourselves which then carries into how we see others.

So what are you wearing today? Is it the shame tee shirt? Is it a heavy sweater weighing you down? Is it guilt’s jacket overwhelming you? Whatever your answer, put your God clothes on, it’s time to get dressed!

Don’t waste today wearing clothes that don’t belong to you. Move forward in your faith. Receive your new outfits and take your next steps. He’s with you!

Have a great day wearing your God Clothes,
PD