November 2002

Christ:
The Landscape of Life

Part Thirty-eight

“LO and BEHOLD”

“Guarding our garments” (C)

Isa 61:3 God says will give men “The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness”; and Heb 3544 defines “heaviness” as: “Feeble, obscure, darkish, dim, *smoking, despondent, weak, dull, fallen, faint and utterly restrained.” Until God lifts this “spirit of heaviness” from us, we are incapable of praising Him! So once again, God proves that He is fully in control; and also that His Will is sovereign over the wills of men! How can we praise what is obscured from our vision! How do we lift up feeble hands to heaven unless God enables us by divine decree as in Heb 12:12! How can we freely offer praise if we are “utterly restrained”? How can “The spirit of man which is the candle of our Lord” (Pr 20:27) display the Light of God’s Love if the flame “has been put out in obscure darkness”?! (Pr 20:20) Indeed, “The candle of the wicked shall be put out!” (Pr 24:20) All anyone can do is wait till “The Lord our God lights our candle and enlightens our darkness!” (Ps 18:28) All power is in the Hands of the Lord- and not us

*God declares, “Behold My servant whom I uphold; He is My Elect in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit on Him so He will bring Judgment to the nations. He will not cry out; His voice will not be heard in the street. He shall not break a bruised reed; and He will not quench the smoking flax of a candle wick (for it can be rekindled)! He shall bring Judgment to Truth! He shall not fail nor be discouraged till He establishes Judgment in the earth! The islands (set apart souls) shall wait for His Law. Thus saith God the Lord who created and stretched out the heavens; who spread forth the earth and all that comes out of it; who gives breath to all people of the earth; and gives Spirit to them that walk on the earth! I, the Lord, have called you in My Righteousness; I will hold your hand and keep you. I will give you as My Covenant to the people! You shall be as a Light to the nations who shall open blind eyes; and bring out the prisoners from the prison; and release all that sit in darkness in the dungeon. I am the Lord; that is My Name; and I will not give My Glory to another; nor will give My Praise to graven images. Behold, the former things have come to pass; now I declare new things! Before they spring forth, I announce them to you! Therefore, sing to the Lord a new song; and sing His Praise from the ends of the earth...!!” (Isa 42:1-10)

Eccl 9:8 says, “Let your garments always be white (be pure); and never let your head lack Anointing Oil (-of joy, Isa 61:3; and -of gladness, Heb 1:9).”

Why does God refers to praise as a garment? A garment covers man’s inherent nakedness. Jesus says to the first Adam’s naked family, “Because you say, ‘I am rich with many possessions, so I don’t need anything more’; yet you do not realize you are actually wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked: I counsel you to buy from Me: gold purified in the fire- so you are truly rich; and white raiment- so you may be clothed and the shame of your nakedness does not appear; and anoint your eyes with eyesalve so you are able to see (God clearly, and be able to praise Him)!” (Rev 3:17-18) How are our garments made white? Mal 3:1-3 says,

“Behold, I will send My Messenger Who shall prepare The Way before Me; then the Lord Whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple (“You are the temple of the Living God!” 2 Co 6:16) Behold, the Covenant Messenger in Whom you delight, He will come, says the Lord of hosts! But who can abide the Day of His coming? Who will stand when He appears? For He is like the refiner’s fire (that purifies the gold); and like the fuller’s soap (that washes our garments white)!”

Our merciful Father will not leave us naked in His sight! He has provided His own beautiful mantle of praise to cover our shame! Praising the Living God exalts the spirit; edifies the soul; and ennobles the body! Praise entitles us to “enter the Courts” of God’s Holy Kingdom! (Ps 100:4) In this we are blessed to enjoy such a royal privilege! Hallelujah!

[TO BE CONTINUED]