What Garment Are You Wearing?

As we know from everyday life, our costumes, dresses or coverings reveal a lot about our personality, culture, role, circumstances, status or heritage. They are simply intended to cover and protect us from the elements of the weather but they signify much more. In a packed shopping mall, we can associate someone in white coats or jumpers with the health profession while another in coveralls with oil or paint streaks may be regarded as an engineering or construction worker.

In the Bible too, we see different types of garments depicting different qualities of the individuals clad in them. The first mention of garment was in the Garden of Eden, after Adam and Eve, had realized their nakedness and sewed fig leaves as a covering. Yet, when God walked in the garden and called them, they hid themselves from His presence because they were naked and afraid. Clearly, fig garments could not serve the intended purpose of covering but God, in His mercy, made a tunic of skin and clothed them (See Genesis 3:6-10 & 21). He covered their shame and fear with the skin of an animal that had been killed on account of their sin. This profound act symbolized the atoning sacrifice of Christ for mankind.

In Israel, the garment of a priest distinguished him from a soldier who puts on an armour because their offices and assignments were unique. For the priests who were set apart to minister before the Lord, the defining quality of their garments was holiness (purity and cleanness). God specifically commanded that the priestly garments are made for glory and beauty . Their garment also gave them access to places that other Israelites were banned from entering. For the High Priest especially, his authority within the Tabernacle or Temple was dictated by the special garments he wore.

2 And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. 3 So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest. 4 And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a skillfully woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. So they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister to Me as priest.

Exodus 28:1-4, NKJV

Yet, in our anchor text for today, we find that Joshua, the high priest, was in a vulnerable position though He was before the Lord. He could not perform His duties because of his garments. Satan, the accuser, was poised to oppose him had it not been for the intervention of the Lord. What was the grounds of Satan's accusation? Joshua was clothed with filthy garments. Thank God who, in mercy, rebuked Satan, declared this priest as one of His chosen and redeemed people of Jerusalem, and changed his garments.

1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” 3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.

4 Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.” 5 And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord stood by.

Zechariah 3:1-5, NKJV

Today, under the new covenant Christ ratified with His blood, we have been called as royal priests to minister to the Lord (see 1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6). Through the atoning blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God, our sins and shame have been washed away. He has imputed the righteousness of Christ to us and made us holy ministers before God (2 Corinthians 5:21). We are now called to stand in beauty and glory dispensing our duties in the authority of Jesus. Is this your daily reality?

What type of garment are you wearing in this season? Is it giving or denying you access to your place of assignment? Have you become an object of mockery because of the garment you are wearing? Is Satan, the accuser of the brethren, having grounds to deflate your confidence before God? What is speaking for you in this season? Are you still wearing your garments of beauty and glory?

Most priests, like Aaron and this Joshua, had weaknesses, failures and shortcomings. But God forgave their sins and changed their garments so that they could boldly minister in glory and beauty instead of shame, guilt and condemnation. Whatever your shortcomings or failures, God through the blood of Jesus, has forgiven you and covered you in His glory. There may be things in your lives that you don’t want anyone to know of. Things you did in the past that evoke shame, present weaknesses or failures. For some, your associations, background, physical appearance or current economic status has become a garment of shame covering you and hindering you from fulfilling God's purpose for your life.

I declare over your life that every garment of shame, filth, dishonour, unworthiness or rejection is being changed in Jesus' name! Jesus' blood is speaking better things - mercy, forgiveness, restoration - over you. This is a season of transition and your song shall be, “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.” Psalms 30:11-12, NKJV.

Some people enjoy turning the glory of God into shame (Psalm 4:2a). Our adversary, the devil, doesn't relent in accusing us to ourselves, others and God. But Scripture shows us the weapon of victory: "... and they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death" (Revelation 12:10). Believe in the power of Jesus' blood; accept and testify of His forgiveness; and live the sanctified life of glory and beauty you are called to as a royal priest.

God delights in turning shame to glory. My prayer partner was once a car washer growing up without a father figure in his life. Today, he is on his way to becoming a lawyer after finishing a second degree in law. The shame of his past years have been replaced with glory to the extent that his children cannot relate to the events of his childhood. Our God is doing exceedingly abundantly more in this season.

Perhaps, like Joseph, your coat of many colours signifying your position of favour and leadership has been wrongfully snatched from you (see Genesis 37). Maybe, like Jehoshaphat, you have formed a wrong alliance and accepted to be robed in garments that are not yours - putting yourself at risk and compromising the honour due you (see 2 Chronicles 18). Sometimes, with negative utterances, complaints and wrong mindsets, we attract garments that do not suit the honourable purposes and plans of God for our lives. It could also be that God has raised you from deadly situations but, like Lazarus, you are still wrapped in grave clothes and you need to be let loose (see John 11). What's tragic is, like the priest Joshua in our anchor text, people in such scenarios may have no clue of their stained or compromised clothing. But thanks be to God that this is your set time for a change in garment.

Joseph had wallowed in slavery and prison in Egypt for years after the betrayal of his brothers and false accusation of Potiphar's wife. When time came for his elevation into prominence, he first had to shave himself and change his garments before appearing in Pharaoh's presence (see Genesis 41:14). When Jonathan encountered David and discerned the anointing and calling of royalty upon this shepherd boy, he willingly and joyfully gave him his robe, armour, belt, sword and bow (see 1 Samuel 18:1-4). By this act, Jonathan was indicating his support of David's calling though he was naturally the heir to Saul's throne. Spiritually, this significant act was another confirmation that David would be Israel's king.

As we wait on the Lord this season, may any garment that is not reflective of your calling, status or assignment be cast off in Jesus' name! Let there be a divine transfer and restoration of any garment that rightfully belongs to you in Jesus' name! May there be a shift in your mindset, utterances, expectations and actions to position you for the garment of favour, beauty, glory, holiness and relevance God has destined you for. I declare these excerpts of Isaiah 61:1-3 & 61:7 (NIV) over you in Jesus name!

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me ... 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 joy 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. ... Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours."