I wear His clothes

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness…”

Heard this old hymn? It’s been my anthem, if you will, for many years.

His blood, shed for me on the cross. His perfection, his example… his sacrifice for me. His victory over the grave. This is what I hang my whole life on, and death as well.

The words continue:

“I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace.”

Ever felt like everything around you is so dark, so broken, that you can’t see his face anymore? But the lyrics say:

“In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood, support me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.”

In bad times – and in good – he is our anchor, our hope. Our unshakeable foundation.

“When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.”

I was singing the Hillsong version of this song recently, and I pictured something beautiful. It was Jesus, handing his clothes over to me to wear. I had the simple thought:

‘No outfit can replace what He dresses me in.’

The outfits I choose aren’t likely to make the social pages. But in the spiritual sense, his apparel is magnificent. Jesus’ blood covers me, and he clothes me – from the inside out – with his goodness, his righteousness. I didn’t have to do anything to deserve this favour. This blessing. This process of making me look more like him… I just had to turn from my old ways and believe in him. Trust him to lead. That’s it…

Because of who he is, I have the right to wear his clothes. I’m part of his family, forever – with all the blessings and privileges of His children, into eternity…

Pretty cool huh?

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners.

To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness

instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the Lord

for the display of his splendor.”

(Isaiah 61:1-3)