I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and
arrayed me in a robe of righteousness.
Isaiah 61:10
I started off Saturday morning cheering for my son and his friends at their flag football game. I’m still learning all of their names. Go Eli! Or was that Tyson or Shawn? There are names on the boys’ jerseys but last ones, not their first. As a parent, I know my son even if his name weren’t on the back of his shirt, but it sure makes me a proud parent when that little boy with #18 or #27 on his jersey and the name NELSON above it has a great play or scores a touchdown. Occasionally, I am that obnoxious parent who is jumping up and down screaming because I’m so proud of my sons! I try to play it cool but sometimes there is just no containing the joy.
My dad started a wonderful tradition about 10 years ago called Papa Camp. Every year all 11 grandchildren get new embroidered Papa Camp shirts. Sometimes they have the children’s names on them but always have Papa’s Summer Camp stitched on them somewhere. Although keeping up with the names of 11 grandchildren can take some practice, I’m pretty sure what gave my dad the biggest pleasure was claiming them all as his own. He took great pride when someone would ask him, “Are all these your grandchildren?” His great big smile answered the question before the affirmative came out of his grinning mouth.
Revelation 19:16 tells us that Jesus, the beloved Son of God has a name on His robe, too. It says, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” He is the One whom God the Father said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to Him.”
God sent Jesus, His only son, into the world to save the world because He so loved you and me. When we put our faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross where He took all of our sins upon Himself, He clothes us with His robe of righteousness.
Yes! As Zephaniah says, we are the ones who rejoice that we have been given garments of salvation and Jesus’ robe of righteousness. When God looks at us, He no longer sees our sin and unworthiness, but He sees His own son’s righteousness.
Did you know the Bible also says that in Christ, God set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come? Do you see it? God’s name is on your back! In Christ, you are His very own treasured possession. His robe is on you and his Spirit is in you as a guarantee that He’s taking you to be with Him in heaven!!!
Oh my goodness, it gets even better. Just when you want to jump up and down rejoicing listen to this:
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord, God Almighty, creator of the universe takes great delight in you. He rejoices over you with singing because you are His. He’s got His name on you. He’s got his Spirit in you. He’s proud of you, His child.
I am His and He is mine!
Let that thought cause you to give Him thanks and praise today!