ESOCS Devotional 2 February 2022
TEXT: ISAIAH 61:8-11
MEMORY VERSE: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garment of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness…” Isaiah 61:10 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place ”
8 “For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery [a]for burnt offering;
I will direct their work in truth,
And will make with them an everlasting covenant.
9 Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles,
And their offspring among the people.
All who see them shall acknowledge them,
That they are the posterity whom the Lord has blessed.”
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
My soul shall be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its bud,
As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth,
So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
In the world ravaged with so much pain, agonies, sorrows, disappointments, and frustration, there is however, a place of rejoicing in the Lord. Yes! There is a guarantee of great joy in God: “…in the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 KJV). To maintain a strong relationship with God is to exist in perpetual joy in life. It is not possible to be connected to God and be frustrated with sorrow.
The Cherubim and Seraphim Hymn 224 sings, ‘Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, all ye that are upright in heart; and ye that have made Him your choice, bid sadness and sorrow depart’. It is therefore important to note that rejoicing is a covenant promise for all children of God. Our text also buttressed by C & S Hymn 224 gives us two reasons to rejoice.
Firstly, “…for he hath clothed me with the garment of salvation…” This is the greatest reason to be joyful. The salvation of our soul is the highest source of our joy. There is no joy without salvation. The truth is, without being saved there is this inner joy you are denied of, you can’t access that realm of joy until the garment of salvation is put on you. Salvation does not just give you temporary or earthly joy, it guarantees you eternal joy. If you are not saved from sin, there is an opportunity for you today in Jesus Christ.
Secondly, “…he hath covered me with robe of righteousness…”The knowledge that you are walking in righteousness brings an overwhelming joy to your life. That blessedness of a righteous existence makes you leap for joy always (Psalm 32:1-2). Therefore, make up your mind to be saved today and consistently live righteously for God, then your joy shall know no bounds, in Jesus name.
- Accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour today and be totally saved.
- Consistently wear your robe of righteousness.
- Lord, we are grateful for the covenant of joy and rejoicing for our lives. Help us maintain our garment of salvation and robe of righteousness till eternity in the name of Jesus Christ.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Luke 4:14-30; Isaiah 43:8-21; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; 2:1-5
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ESOCS Devotional 2 February 2022
