#32

Part 2 of The Wardrobe

“I will give you treasures of darkness and hidden riches of the Secret Place, that you may know that I, the Lord, Who calls you by your name, am the God of Israel.”  Isaiah 45:3

“Wash and perfume yourself, and put on your best clothes.  Then go down to the threshing floor…”  Ruth 3:3a

Everything is measured to perfection, fits beautifully, designed by the Master.  What a wardrobe it is!  “Make sacred garments…to give him dignity and honor.  Tell all the skilled men to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments…for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest.  These are the garments they are to make:  a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and sash.  They are to make these sacred garments…, so they may serve me as priests.  Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.” (See Exodus 28) 

Garments of gold, and blue, purple and scarlet…and fine linen.

A wardrobe of such magnificence that even the Lord Himself wears it:
“…so His own arm worked salvation for Him and His own righteousness sustained Him.  He put on righteousness as His breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in zeal as in a cloak.”  (Isaiah 59:16b-17)

In addition to the righteousness, the cloak and the signet ring that we discussed in Part 31, we are also fitted with:  the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit.  (Ephesians 6:10-20)

“Put on the full armor of God…”  You got to wear it.
“…so that when the day of evil comes…”  When-----not if.

The Belt of Truth buckled around the waist – The Word of God; Strength; Girded tightly around our loins (around our place of intimacy, of life, of reproduction).  We must have it girded tightly so that when we are standing in a hard place, it helps us to stand and not grow weary of the wait.

The Breastplate of Righteousness in place – Covered in the Presence and Goodness of God.

Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace – Used to stand and fight and move forward to claim territory.

Take up the Shield of Faith – Protection from condemnation, temptation, and fear.

Take the Helmet of Salvation – Covered in the blood of Jesus, starting from the top of our head.

Take the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God – This is our only defensive weapon, and what a weapon it is, but don’t forget it!

“And pray in the Spirit on ALL occasions, with ALL kinds of prayers and requests.”  (Ephesians 6:18a)  (Remember what the word “all” means?)

Put on…take up…take…take.  The wardrobe is voluntary.  God is not going to force it on us, but why should we walk around half-dressed?  Why would we?  After all, our wardrobe, all of our wardrobe, has been designed by the King of kings, Himself.  Garments of gold, and blue, purple and scarlet…and fine linen.

Master Tailor:  I need an appointment for a fitting.  I have a Banquet to attend, and I’m not dressing in anything but the best.

“(I) put on (my) royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the King’s Hall.  The King was sitting on His Royal Throne in the hall, facing the entrance.  When He saw (me) standing in the Court, He was pleased with (me) and held out to (me) the Gold Scepter that was in His hand.  So (I) approached and touched the tip of the Scepter.”  (Esther 5:1-2)