In this season of heavy shopping and lots of new clothes, here’s an interesting contrast in “innerwear”. We can be:

Clothed with joy. (Ps 30:11)

Clothed with gladness. (Ps 65:12)

Clothed with God’s righteousness. (Ps 132:9, Is 61:10)

Clothed with strength. (Prov 31:25, Is 51:9, Is 52:1)

Clothed with dignity. (Prov 31:25)

Clothed with salvation. (Is 61:10, 2 Chron 6:41, Ps 132:16)

Clothed with power from on high. (Luke 24:49)

Clothed with [the Lord Jesus] Christ. (Gal 3:7, Rom 13:14)

Clothed with humility. (1 Pet 5:5, Col 3:12)

Clothed with compassion. (Col 3:12)

Clothed with kindness. (Col 3:12)

Clothed with gentleness. (Col 3:12)

Clothed with patience. (Col 3:12)

When we’re properly clad it shows! And this is how the world responds:

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”‘” (Zech 8:23)

(Note that it’s not “we like the orderly way you live” or “you make really good decisions.” It’s “we have heard that GOD is with you.”)

The alternative doesn’t sound so great:

Clothed in shame. (Job 8:22, Ps 35:26, Ps 132:18)

Clothed with disgrace. (Ps 35:26, Ps 109:29)

Clothed with despair. (Ez 7:27)

Clothed with terror. (Ez 26:6)

Clothed with gloom. (Ez 31:15)

Clothed with violence. (Ps 73:6)

Clothed with cursing. (Ps 109:18)

I think it’s time for many of us to update our wardrobes–NOT through “New Year’s Resolutions” to change our behaviors, but through spending more time with God.

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

© 2014 Deborah Morris

Questions or Comments?