The Joy Robe

December 5, 2012

Did you know God removes our sackcloth clothing and instead adorns us with joy?

Just what does wearing a sackcloth look like?  Sackcloths were usually torn, made of abrasive material, and often accompanied with ashes…to symbolize mourning.  But they were never intended to be part of normal, everyday wear.  Imagine wearing an abrasive cloth all the time – eventually our skin would bleed and perhaps become callous.  And yet, many of us live in sackcloth…and ashes.

Psalm 30 says he clothes us with joy.  

Just what does wearing joy look like? Joy means that we are full of gladness.  About our situation?  No.  About our Savior.  Wearing joy means we choose to allow Him to gently remove the sorrow, heal the abrasions, wash off the ashes, and heal us.  It’s a work HE has to do.

Sounds like a plan, but it’s not easy for some. The sackcloth sticks to some of us like glue, so the tearing off hurts.  The joy isn’t visible because the pain is too real.  

Wailing and sorrow release emotions.  And after the release, JOY is waiting for your arms to slip into it, your hands to pull it around you, and HIS strength to sustain and keep it beautiful as you wear it!