A Garment of Praise
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 by Melissa McLaughlin

Squish, squish, squish. The mud suctioned our feet as we trudged up the mountainside.

We had taken a spring camping trip, expecting a few days of fresh mountain air. Unfortunately, torrential rains soaked everything that year. Our clothes clung to us like wet Saran Wrap. Even our sleeping bags felt soggy.

Despite the poor weather, we decided to hike up the mountain in the rain.

Let’s face it. There’s only so much you can do in a wet camper.

Attempting to deflect the elements, we grabbed black trash bags and cut holes for our heads and arms. Pulling the trash bags over our bodies like full-length raincoats, we set off in the deluge.

I can’t remember how far we hiked. My only recollection is laughing at our makeshift raincoats.

As I think back, however, one thing stands out about that day. Once back in the camper, I shed the sopping trash bag and wrapped myself in a blanket that served as a robe. The soft, fluffy cloth felt warm against my face.

What a difference it made switching from drenched plastic to a dry blanket. I felt like a queen in her royal robe.

In our recent studies of Isaiah 61:1-3, we reflected on the bountiful blessings we receive in Christ—beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning. This week, we will consider the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

Isaiah 61:1-3 NKJV

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted…
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Christ’s finished work on the cross lifts the heavy burden of our sin and wraps us in His robe of righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 6:14), as we trust and believe in Him.

A sticky trash bag clings to you like the shame and regret for sin.

I imagine Jesus replacing that muddied trash bag with the radiant wedding gown I wore the day I married my beloved husband. Clean, white, and shining.

From wet, bedraggled, and downtrodden to festive, joyful, and expectant.

That is our new life in Christ! May our hearts sing His praises as we delight in His forgiveness today and await immeasurable blessings in heaven!

What helps you put on a garment of praise each day?

Isaiah 61:10 ESV – 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, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Update For My Readers:

I am thrilled to share that my book, The Whole Bible Devotional: Seeing Jesus in Every Book of the Bible, released last week! Readers are receiving their copies and responding favorably. Glory to God!

I pray daily for every person who is reading. May each one receive a blessing from the Lord, as they soak in His Word and gaze upon our Savior.

If you haven’t ordered a copy, it is available at all the major retailers and through the publisher, CLC Publications. Links are below.

A downloadable free small group study guide is also available with the purchase of every book. I hope you’ll consider reading with your small group Bible study, LifeGroup, Sunday School class, Parents’ Group, family, and friends.

Thank you for your support! God bless you!

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Spiritual Life

Join author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin, and grow in Truthful Grace as we ignite the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit in our hearts, minds, prayers and lives. Grow in Christ, grow in the knowledge of His Word, the Bible, grow the passion in your prayers.

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