September 26

Beautiful Garments

Awake, awake, clothe yourself with strength, O Zion! Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, holy city! For the uncircumcised and unclean will no longer enter you. — Isa 52:1 BSB

And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. — Rom 13:11-12 BSB

Put on strength. We do not need to earn it or create it through our own efforts; we simply need to put it on. As we rise in the morning, facing the trials of life, which so often bring failure and defeat, let us put on the strength and might of the living Christ. He waits to empower us with all strength according to the riches of His glory. Don’t just pray for help or protection—put on the full armor of God. “The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?”

Put on beautiful garments. The Christian life is symbolized as a bridegroom or bride adorned with jewels or a garden blossoming with flowers (Isaiah 61:10-11). We are called not only to do what is right, but to do it beautifully; not just to speak the truth, but to speak it in love; not just to give to those in need, but to give joyfully and graciously. We must cultivate the beauty of the soul, made up of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and generosity. The beauty of the Lord must rest upon us.

We cannot weave these beautiful garments ourselves or fashion them out of our own nature. They are prepared for us in Christ, who has been made our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption. Let us awaken from sleep, cast off the works of darkness, and put on the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the armor of light.

Prayer

Lord of Power and Love, I come, trusting in Your almighty strength and infinite goodness, to ask for what I lack. Grant me the grace to be and do all that You desire. I trust You, in whom there is everlasting strength. Be my Helper, and carry me beyond my own strength, that all I think, say, and do may be acceptable in Your sight, through Jesus Christ. Amen.