THE VERSE
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.
~Isaiah 61:10
THE THOUGHT
How great is the grace of God revealed in the gospel! Though all of our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment, though we stand naked and ashamed before Him because of our sin, He has stooped to love us and cover our shame. He has clothed us in the garments of salvation, covering and removing all our sin. And marvel of all marvels, He has covered us with the robe of His very own righteousness, the obedience of Christ credited to our account. Now we stand before His throne, robed in His perfection and accepted as beloved sons and daughters, not because of our own merit, but because of Christ’s.
What then should we say in response to these things? What should our response look like? “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God.” Our response to God’s grace in the gospel should be victorious joy, a gladness that takes hold of the throne and says, “I am my Beloved’s, and He is mine forever.” This is a delight that breaks the chains of the world’s pleasures and rests satisfied in God alone. This is a joy that motivates sacrificial love and obedience.
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us! May our joy in His grace rise like a fountain, overflowing in sacrificial service that delights to make Him known.
THE PRAYER
Lord, Thank you for Your love, that has stooped to make me clean. Jesus, Thank you for Your life of perfect obedience, which is now mine by faith. Give me grace to see Your grace; open my eyes to see the greatness of Your love for me, and move me to love and praise in response.
EXTENDED READING
THE QUOTE
“May the Living God, who is the portion and rest of the saints, make these our carnal minds so spiritual, and our earthly hearts so heavenly, that loving him, and delighting in him, may be the work of our lives.” ~Richard Baxter
This post is written by Brendan Beale, author of Cross Connections