Dear Pilgrim, how are you clothed today?

Dear Pilgrim, how are you clothed today?  As you have walked this pilgrim path, He has lifted you out of a slimy pit, out of the mud and the mire; you have fallen face down before His glory; you have been made to lie down in green pastures; you have struggled against the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms;  you have crossed through valleys and scaled mountain peaks; you have stood on the heights. May we take a look at your garments?

Oh, dear Pilgrim – don’t hide your face in shame. Weary from your pilgrimage, you believe you are bedraggled, unkempt and stained…come, let me comfort you, I know how you feel. But take reassurance from this – that whilst the unrighteous know no shame, for they do not even know how to blush, it is those who are His, who know Him, who cry out “Let us lie down in our shame, and let our disgrace cover us. We have sinned against the Lord our God, both we and our ancestors; from our youth till this day we have not obeyed the Lord our God." But Pilgrim, take this nugget of truth to heart:  Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 

For as you continue to cling to Him in repentance and belief, recognising that your own righteous deeds are as filthy rags, you do not need to worry about your clothes. Listen to His words: “See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith?”

Oh, precious Pilgrim – how He has clothed you – but He hasn’t patched up what was already there, for no-one tears a piece out of a new garment to sew on an old one.  No, He has given you new garments. Jacob came dressed in the clothing of his brother to obtain his father’s blessing. We have been dressed in the clothing of our Brother and have received the blessing of our Father.  Jonathan, the son of the king, gave his royal robe to his friend, David, whom he loved.  The Son of God has given His royal robes to us, His friends, whom He loves. Esther, bride of the king, clothed herself in royal robes to enter the presence of the King to seek his favour. We, as the bride of the King, come clothed in royal robes to enter the presence of the King, and we are assured of His favour, for this is the Year of the Lord’s favour!

Just as the father called for the best robe to be brought for the prodigal son upon his return and clothed him with it, so our Heavenly Father has called for the best robe to be brought for us to wear – He has clothed us with Christ Himself!

And Pilgrim – take in a deep breath. That fragrant aroma - His robes in which He has clothed you are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.  This fragrance – the myrrh and cassia - does it remind you of the myrrh and cassia used in the fragrant blend of the sacred anointing oil in the tabernacle, which was poured upon Aaron, the high priest, to consecrate him for service to the Lord? This precious oil, which was poured on his head, and ran down upon the collar of his robes? The dew of Mount Zion! And what did our High Priest proclaim? “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.”  Pilgrim, do you see? The fragrant aroma – it is the Spirit of God! He has clothed us with the Spirit of God!  Is this not why Adam and Eve knew no shame when they were in the Garden of Eden, naked – for they were clothed with the Spirit of God? And in this clothing they were able to walk with Him, speak with Him, hear His Voice speaking to them! Oh Pilgrim, listen to His Voice speaking to you: “The fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon”  - the beautiful fragrance of the cedars of Lebanon! You, Pilgrim, are clothed with the Spirit of God! Take heart, Pilgrim, that as you continue to walk the pilgrim path, just as the robes of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not scorched from the fiery furnace, and there was no smell of fire on them, so the fragrance of your robes will remain pure as you walk on – the power of the Spirit of God!

Come, Pilgrim – let Him take away your shame. Every last part. Show Him your wounds, your broken heart, your sin, allow Him to come and cover all of you. Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer, Boaz, spread the corner of his garment over her. Let your Kinsman-Redeemer cover every last part of you. And as you look up into His eyes, the eyes of Jesus, our Brother, Friend, High Priest, King, as you look to Him you will be radiant, and your face will never be covered with shame.