by Jim Hughes
Is. 61:10 I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels.
When was the last time you were overwhelmed with joy at the thought that Jesus saves and that He has saved you? Be honest. If you are like most of us, you don’t live on an emotional high much of the time. You simply do not get all excited every time you think of salvation. It doesn’t mean that it is not real or precious to you; it’s just not possible to always feel the excitement of it. Yet, it is good to think about what the Lord does for us in salvation. It ought to cause us to appreciate it more and bow before Him in thanksgiving, praise, and love.
He has clothed us in salvation. Without clothing we are embarrassed to be seen. Clothing covers up our flaws. It covers up parts of the body that should not be seen by others. It keeps us warm. It protects us from the elements. It makes us more attractive to others. Clothing comes in a wide variety of styles and sizes. We wear our clothing differently. And, we wear our clothing for our common good; it helps to keep us from tempting others and being tempted by them. Now, consider how salvation does these things for us.
He has draped us in robes of righteousness. Robes add to the ability of clothing to keep us warm. They are often used to add distinction to our appearances. They sometimes speak of honor and dignity, and even authority.
“I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels.” Why do most people dress up when they get married? Isn’t it because one’s wedding is an honorable and memorable day in the couple’s lives? It is a day in which a public commitment is made to live in a relationship with each other in ways they never had before. It is a day of great joy and excitement that they want to share with family, friends, and God. It is the beginning of the process of blending two lives into one that lasts until death.
The day of salvation is like that. It is a very special and unforgettable day in the life of a person. It is a day in which life is forever changed. It is a day of not looking back wishing it had never happened. It is a day of looking forward to what is yet to come. It is a day of commitment that binds the soul to God for all of eternity. It is a day of great joy and excitement. It is a day to be shared with others over and over again. It is a day in which the old passes away and all things become new.
Oh dear friend, revisit that wondrous day. Remember the joy you knew when Christ saved you. Recall the changes He has made in your life. Renew the commitment you made to Him that day. Let the joy of salvation reclaim your soul today. If your soul has become stale and you have taken your salvation for granted, flee to your Savior and let Him rewash you in His precious blood. Let Him put on you a new robe of righteousness so that you can once again know the joys of your salvation.
About the Author:
Spending his formative years in Ft. Wayne, IN, Jim followed the love of his life to southeast Iowa where they married and have spent the majority of their lives. Jim has pastored several churches throughout his life and has worked many years in local factories to help support his family. The father of two married adult children and one son still at home, Jim is a first-time author.
C Through Marriage came into being through many years of pastoral and life experiences. The book first took on a life of its own over 20 years ago when I sought to address the much publicized moral failures of prominent leaders in the church. In the chapter on Chasity, I include the guideliness that I developed then to protect one's self from such failures.
I am a firm believer in order to make sense out of life you have to use much common sense. We need to get back to the basics of what has worked for many, many generations. If is isn't broke, why try to fix it? I strive to return to the basics of what really works in all my writings.
