ARE YOU JOYFUL?

November 28, 2023

Do you have joy? In an average week, how much delight are you experiencing? How much thanksgiving? How much pure joy?

If the answer is minimal, you may never have experienced what Isaiah the prophet did. Or perhaps you have experienced it but have forgotten all God has done for you. Isaiah compares it to our joy on our wedding day, clothed in our finest.

I will rejoice greatly in the Lord. My soul will exult in my God for He has clothed me with garments of salvation. He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)

OUR UNRIGHTEOUS CONDITION

To be “righteous” is to be right. Right before God. Seen as righteous before our wholly righteous Father. In our normal, sinful human state, inherited since birth, there is “none righteous—no, not one,” Paul says. We are clothed in garments of unrighteousness continually. Filthy rags. But because of Christ, a miracle has occurred! Here’s how Paul describes it …

For as through the one man’s disobedience (i.e., Adam) the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One (i.e., Christ) the many will be made righteous … so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:19, 21)

CLOTHED IN GARMENTS OF SALVATION

Isaiah’s joy was no momentary flash but a continual contentment, a rising tide of gratitude. But there was a foundation for this happiness. He was “clothed in garments of salvation.” He had been saved from head to toe by the grace of God, and now his life displayed the fruits of this deliverance.

WRAPPED IN ROBES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Like Isaiah, the true believer in Jesus Christ has an outer garment and inner change; they will never take off. They are wrapped up in robes of rightness or righteousness.

This is all because of Christ. He took our sins on the cross, forever paying the penalty before a holy God. Now, all those who come to believe in Him and embrace Him as Savior and Lord receive this gift of righteousness. “The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus” has set us free from the “law of sin and death,” and there is now, therefore, no condemnation as we stand before God (Romans 8:1-2). We are seen as righteous before God. This is what makes us fit for heaven and also fit for earth.

So why should we face today without joy? If you are redeemed, rejoice greatly in the Lord and exult in God. Let your joy be in the right place, not in yourself and some pitiful form of self-righteousness. Rejoice IN THE LORD, for He has saved, cleansed, and delivered you! We are clothed forever in a righteousness purchased by Christ.

Father, fill my heart today with the fresh reminder of Your salvation. Let me rejoice that, every moment of the day, I am wrapped in robes of Your righteousness, now made acceptable to the Father and I have peace facing God!

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