Clothed in Garments of Joy
by Christin Baker
“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy…I will give thanks to you forever.” Psalm 30:11,12b
Fall weather has settled in, bringing cool, crisp air and the smell of crinkled amber leaves. Bathing suits and beach towels have been replaced with blankets and sweaters, with shorter days sending us indoors much earlier to enjoy evenings of hot cocoa and spiced tea.
As I clothe myself for cooler weather, I am reminded of how God clothes us spiritually in his warm garments of love, joy and strength.
“…you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.”
He removes the bleak, scratchy sackcloth of our sin and shame–garments of wailing, mourning, pain and despair. Then he beautifully adorns us with a new wardrobe–in sleek, smooth cashmere garments of his joy and strength.
“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
When we are clothed with joy, we are also clothed with God’s strength and power–in glimmering garments of brilliance and splendor.
“…clothe yourself with strength. Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem…” (Isaiah 52:1)
When we are clothed with joy, we are also clothed with God’s strength and power. Tweet this!
This fall season, as you pull out your sweaters and wrap yourself in fleece blankets, remember that you are wrapped in Christ’s garments of warmth, joy and strength. He was stripped of his linen garments and hung on a cross to give us sparkling clothing of peace and salvation (Isaiah 61:10).
Celebrate this season with a heart of feasting and thanksgiving for your new wardrobe in him. He has removed your sackcloth of sin and clothed you with everlasting joy.
“They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10)
Lord, thank you for your joy and strength that envelops us like a warm embrace. We are your daughters of royalty–because you are the King of kings. You have clothed us in your garments of splendor and salvation, and for that we give you thanks forever. Fill our hearts with love, our lips with wisdom, and our souls with your perfect peace.
Amen.
Meet Christin:
Christin Baker is a wife, homeschool mom, blogger and passionate lover of Jesus. She desires to help women discover their true beauty, purpose and identity through the clothing of Christ. Connect with Christin on Facebook, Twitter and on her blog where she writes at garmentsofsplendor.com.
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I always heard the joy of the Lord is my strength. I am surprised that people leave off the do not grieve.
Love this Christin! I recently got back from a women’s retreat and Psalm 30:11 was our theme and we studied on the sackcloth. I learned so much from it. You post reminded me of the study.
Wow, Carmen! That sounds like an awesome retreat! I absolutely love this passage in Psalm 30:11. I’d be interested to know more about what you learned about sackcloth! I am SO thankful that God removes our sackcloth of shame and sorrow and clothes us with his brilliant joy! 🙂
It’s a pleasure to meet you, Christin! Your post is a beautiful word picture. It also confirms what I resolved to do before bed last night: to wake up and choose joy no matter the trying circumstances. Thank You, God, for clothing me in joy!
So nice to meet you Kelly! I am so glad that the Lord confirmed in your heart His amazing truth–that we can wrap ourselves in His wonderful joy at the start of each new day! Blessings to you!🙂
Love this, Christin! Beautiful imagery of God clothing us in His righteousness. Great reminder that we no longer need to carry the shame and burden of sin. We are free to embrace the grace of Jesus 🙂
Thanks so much Mandy! I am so glad that we no longer have to carry the weight and burden of sin on our shoulders. Praise God that He lifts our burdens and gives us a new wardrobe in Christ!
Such a great image. I’ll be thinking of this as I put on some of the favorite clothes not worn since last year! Thanks!
Thanks Bethany! I love how the Lord uses daily things like clothing to continually remind us of His incredible love for us! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Beautiful post! I’m so glad He removes the yuck and gives us His garments!
Amen! Thanks so much Julie! Praise God for the clean, pure clothing of joy and righteousness Christ provides in exchange for our sin and shame! Blessings to you!