Experiencing God's Presence #260

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.

Isaiah 61:10

Throughout the Old Testament, uncleanness had a corrupting influence. Leprosy was contagious, infecting the ritually clean with its impurities. Death and disease were kept outside the camp because of their contaminating nature. Sinners and scoffers were a bad influence, impacting the behavior of the righteous. Evil was a leaven affecting the whole lump of dough.

Jesus defied this dynamic. He touched lepers, and instead of Jesus becoming unclean, the lepers became clean. He touched dead and diseased bodies, and instead of being defiled, He gave them life and health. He hung out with sinners and unsavory characters, and instead of being corrupted, He changed them. Righteousness became the leaven affecting the whole lump of dough.

Isaiah foresaw this dynamic at work, and God’s Presence overwhelmed the prophet with joy. God turned Israel’s mourning into dancing. He covers His people with the clothing of salvation and dresses them in a robe of righteousness. He has completely switched the direction of influence. Having needed light, we become lights. Having needed forgiveness, we become forgivers. Having dressed as mourners, we are clothed for a wedding.

Choose to live in the reversal. Don’t be defeated; overcome. Don’t be victimized; be victorious. Don’t just receive; give. Don’t be easily influenced; be an influencer. Yes, the reversal can be a process, but it’s largely a matter of perspective, and perspectives can be chosen. The laws of the Spirit now work in your favor. Choose to take full advantage of them.

Father, show me the power of my perspective. Help me live in the reversal, where my attitude and internal state are impacted only by You. Clothe me in the joy and celebration of what You have done in me.

From the book