new clothes

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. 

Isaiah 61:10

Salvation is a beautiful thing. When God redeems, renews, remakes, and adorns a life, that new creation is something marvelous to see. And it is a subject of much rejoicing. The poetic way in which Isaiah exults in God's salvation provides pictures that make my soul rejoice.

When God brings new life to the soul that comes to Him by faith, old things are exchanged for a new creation. In Christ we are made new. We are clothed again with garments of salvation. Isaiah evokes an ancient Middle Eastern wedding ceremony in which both bride and groom are festively adorned with garish new clothing. It is extravagent. The groom is at the wedding beaming under a new turban. And His bride is wearing beautiful jewels. Both of them are surrounded by the experience of full and unrestrained rejoicing in the presence of the wedding party.

That newness and joy must accompany thoughts of our salvation. If we keep it before us, the incredible event of our salvation invigorates us. It keeps us on track. It helps us stay true to the God Who saved us. Just as new garments befit the special occassion, so our salvation speaks to the newness God gives to us. And the God whose mercies are new with every morning sunrise can keep our spirits continually refreshed with the reminder that He has clothed us with garments of salvation!