Put on your praise

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.” Is. 61:3

It’s our destiny to wear a garment of praise. 

When was the last time you wore the garment of praise? You might be even asking — ‘Just what is that?’

In the above verse — God says He will give us a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. We experience heaviness in our spirit when we are worried, anxious and overwhelmed by life. In times like these what should be a small thing suddenly seems too big to overcome and sometimes life in this world full of sin knocks us off our feet. 

Instead of living out our God-given destiny, we are weighed down by our daily troubles, concerns and even our broken hearts.  

In those times, we need to meditate on this verse and believe what our Heavenly Father says. Instead of living under a spirit of heaviness, we can wear a garment of praise. 

The psalmist knew the importance of praise — most of the psalms are his praises to God. The most obvious way to praise God is through music but it’s not required. The Bible says “let every living thing praise the Lord.” 

When Jesus entered Jerusalem seated on a donkey, the people praised him saying, “Hosanna to the highest!” The Pharisees complained and told Jesus to make them stop but Jesus said if they didn’t praise, then even the stones would cried out.

We need to praise God in all we do — through songs, worship and words —especially on those dark days when we are weighed down. 

They key to getting rid of the heaviness, the worry and anxiety is to put on your garment of praise.  Since I don’t play a musical instrument nor have a good singing voice, I pull up my favorite worship songs on YouTube. I will sing along and even dance if I’m at home alone. 

Just as He promised the spirit of heaviness lifts — because our minds cannot think on the amazing goodness of God and all that is wrong in our life at the same time. 

I love the musical worship time at our church — which normally lasts an hour and during this time, we invite the Holy Spirit to come fill us as we praise Him. I know that it’s healing to my spirit and soul. Often during these times, the manifest presence of God comes and He touches my heart like no one else can. In those times, I feel like I’m drinking from the river of life.

Here are two favorite songs I praise God through these days. I pray that they minister to your heart and that you are able to praise Him no matter what you are facing today.