Devotion Series: How to Trade Sadness for Garments of Joy

Splendor—the display of magnificence; brilliance; grandeur; radiance; glory; beauty; wonder

A Spiritual Wardrobe

“His splendor was like the sunrise;

rays flashed from his hand,

where his power was hidden.”

Habakkuk 3:4

Imagine a breathtaking sunrise in the brilliant colors of pink, purple, orange and red. Picture the rays of light pouring through the morning clouds to display the magnificent beauty of a brand new day. This is the splendor of the Lord. The sun gives light and life to all living things on Earth. 

This enormous star consists of the gasses hydrogen and helium, and creates energy and heat that can reach temperatures of 15 million degrees Celsius. The size of the sun is almost incomprehensible; the Earth is a mere speck compared to its vastness. 

Scientists estimate that one million planet earths could fit into its sphere. The distance from the Earth to the sun ranges from 147-152 million kilometers, yet the powerful light from the sun reaches the earth’s atmosphere in only minutes. What a display of God’s splendor! 

The definition of splendor described in the Webster’s Dictionary is “brilliancy, magnificence, display, grandeur.” This describes the very essence of our God. David’s Psalms are full of poetry and praise that depict his splendor and greatness. 

“Praise the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. He wraps himself in light as with a garment…” 

Psalm 104:1-2a

The Lord Almighty adorns himself with the brilliant display of his majesty. There is no one like him! He is the author of life, the sustainer of the sun, the universe, and all living things. The vast beauty and magnificent wonders of the earth were crafted and created by him alone. David compels all to:

“…worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” (1 Chronicles 16:29).  

Not only is God clothed with splendor, but he invites his children to share in his magnificent radiance. 

“Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength. Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem…Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion.”

Isaiah 52:1-2

Remember the spiritual clothing of the Proverbs 31 woman? She is clothed with strength and dignity—the word for dignity could also be translated as splendor. Here God urges his people to wake up from their slumber of sin and suffering and to clothe themselves in his strength and splendor. 

He extends the same invitation to us. He calls us to put on the imperishable clothing he offers—garments of freedom, brilliance, majesty, and beauty. He calls us to trade our chains of captivity for eternal freedom in him. Isaiah 61 powerfully describes the prophecy of Jesus, the promised Messiah, who would come to forever break the bondage of sin and shame in the world:

“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

We Have a New Wardrobe in Christ

Isaiah 61 beautifully reveals the purpose for which Jesus came—to give the world a new wardrobe!

He came to give us…

Freedom instead of captivity.

Comfort instead of mourning.

Provision instead of grief.

A crown of beauty instead of ashes.

Oil of gladness instead of mourning.

Praise instead of despair.

Take careful note of the words grief, mourning, ashes, and despair in this passage. The people of Israel wore sackcloth during times of grief and mourning (2 Sam 3:31; Est 4:1), and ashes were a sign of sorrow or repentance (Ps 113:7, Job 42:6). 

Whether we have mourned the loss of a loved one or have grieved the negative consequences of our sins, we have all experienced heart-wrenching despair and suffering. But there is wonderful news! 

Instead of garments of captivity and mourning, Jesus has come to give us a new wardrobe of joy, hope, peace, comfort, and freedom. David expressed this wonderful exchange in Psalm 30:11,

“You turned my wailing into dancing;

you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy…”

What kind of “sackcloth” have you been wearing in your life? How can you release those burdens to the Lord and trade those garments of mourning in for the clothing of joy Christ offers to you? 

We have great reason to rejoice! Isaiah 61:7 goes on to say,

“Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion,

and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance;

and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,

and everlasting joy will be theirs.”

Think back to Genesis 3 and the shame Adam and Eve experienced when they sinned against the Lord and realized they were naked. Fully exposed and fully aware of what they had done, they covered themselves in shame. Think of the shame you have felt after you have sinned against your Father. 

But Jesus came and covered our shame. Now we have access to a rich inheritance of joy and peace in him. In the Old Testament a double portion of a father’s inheritance was given to the firstborn son. 

We, clothed in Christ’s garments, are fully accepted as sons and daughters of God. The rich inheritance of righteousness, joy, and freedom belong to us—because we are forever his. 

Isaiah 61:10 continues to express great joy for the coming of our Savior:

“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with jewels.”

Jesus desires to wrap us in his grace and salvation, the way a father wraps his newborn child in blankets of warmth and security. What a tender picture of his intimate love for us! Not only does he give us eternal security with him, but he bestows us with his righteousness. How can we not delight greatly in this magnificent exchange?

“…I will turn their mourning into gladness;

I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.”

Jeremiah 31:13b

Have you accepted the garments of splendor, salvation and righteousness that Jesus has extended to you? If so, how have you walked in the joy and freedom he died to give you? 

Many Christians who have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior still struggle to walk in true freedom from guilt and shame over past sins, or subconsciously believe that God has not truly forgiven and accepted them. If this describes you, release yourself from that burden. 

Christ’s sacrifice is enough, and covers all of your sins. You no longer need to cover your shame with “fig leaves” of your own works, deeds, or thoughts of self-loathing to pay your penance. Jesus paid it all! 

Walk in the freedom he has given you, and allow the warmth of his love to shine on your face. Put on his garments of splendor, and walk in true freedom.

“The sun will no more be your light by day,

nor the brightness of the moon shine on you,

for the Lord will be your everlasting light,

and your God will be your glory.”

Isaiah 60:19

A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Garments of Salvation

Lord, thank you for adorning me in brilliant garments of salvation, and for arraying me in Your robe of righteousness. Adorn me with your grace, mercy and love, and may I shine like a sparkling jewel, radiant with Your joy! In Jesus’ name, Amen.