Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments. Isa 52:1

I pray that you had a wonderful day of worship and gathering with the saints on this past Lord’s Day. Others can tell a lot about us in the way we dress. Our manner of dress can tell a lot about one’s attitude and activity. A businessperson or administrator will wear appropriate business attire for their work. An athlete will wear a workout suit or uniform for their practice or athletic event. Medical providers often wear scrubs and outdoor laborers, and workers wear protective clothing and safety gear. You may have heard “dress for success.” In the scripture passage we are told to “put on thy strength.” The scripture does not tell us to generate it by prayer and by strong determination, but simply put it on. Each day, as we awake to a new day of activities, let us put on the strength and might of the living Christ. He strengthens us with power “according to His riches in glory” (Phil 4:19). In His strength we are armed to “stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph 6:11). In the strength of His word, we are “thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:17). My friend, let us not only dress to do the work of the Lord, but do it beautifully and with excellence. “Put on thy beautiful garments” so that others will see and come to know the love of Christ. His “beautiful garments” is the truth spoken in love (Eph 4:15), help given to others with graciousness and a joyful heart. His garments are the garments of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and generosity. The child of God is an emblem of life and light in the world’s darkness. Let us “awake out of sleep…cast off the works of darkness” (Rom 13:11-12) to put on the beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ. “He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isa 61:10). Father, thank You for providing all I need according to Your riches in glory. You are my everlasting strength and hope. In the beauty of Your grace, may my thoughts, my words, and my actions be pleasing unto You in the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.