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… –Isaiah 61:10 ESV
Even if you don’t like basketball, you probably know who Michael Jordan is. If he gave you his jersey, shoes, and the ball from the last game he played, you’d be rich. But, unless you’re as good as or better than him, you’d never be in his league as a basketball star.You could never be on an equal playing field with him. What if Michael Jordan became a trash man so that he could relate on a personal level with those around him and make another trash man his friend? Then imagine him putting that trash man into the game to take his place during the game. Do you think he’d willing give up his place on the court?Yet, there is Someone who has given us, free of charge, His uniform. His gift doesn’t depend on our talents, abilities, or cash flow. We don’t have to be as good as or better than Him to receive it. We are offered the robe of righteousness, and it’s free for the asking. The One who gives it became like us so that we could become like Him. He puts us in the game, in His place, when we become one with Him.If receiving Michael Jordan’s uniform makes us rich, how much richer are we by receiving the robe of righteousness? Receive His gift, and wear it well.
Lord, help me put on righteousness as a soldier arms himself for the battle.
I want to be able to proclaim, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.” I am called a friend of God; I am from the seed of Abraham; I am bought and redeemed by Your blood. Help me live a life worthy of this gift!