S)"3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. 4 He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes. 5 Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the LORD was standing by"
Zechariah 3:3-4(NASB)
O) First, this is another reminder that our very best before God is simply not good enough. Next, there is the simple grace of God's forgiveness. What I really like about this illustration, though, is that God doesn't clean Joshua's robes. He strips him (an important step), and then gives him new clothes (the festal robes). Finally, He doesn't just replace what was there, He adds to it (the turban).
A) When I stumble and make mistakes, satan tries convince me that I haven't really changed, even after all these years. he'll try to tell me that I've been trying, but I'm doomed to fail, and so I might as well give up. Acknowledgement is the key to victory over this doubt, though. Keeping in mind the verses above gives me encouragement. As I repent, I am laying down my filthy garments and God is giving me a brand new set. They aren't refurbashed clothes. He didn't take my old clothes to a drycleaner and then return them to me. As I repent, I agree to allow God to strip me of everything dirty. Then, He promises new clothes everytime. And so I honor that, by living a life of thanksgiving, and pursuing holiness, and preserving the righteousness with which He's clothed me.
P) Father, forgive me of my sins. Strip me of my filth and clean me. Thank You for clothing me anew, Lord. I will honor Your name with a life of praise and the pursuit of Your standard, God. Holy Spirit, remind me often that God's grace and mercy do not end. Remind me that I am made new. Remind me that my filth isn't simply washed out of my life, but that I am given new life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
P) Father, forgive me of my sins. Strip me of my filth and clean me. Thank You for clothing me anew, Lord. I will honor Your name with a life of praise and the pursuit of Your standard, God. Holy Spirit, remind me often that God's grace and mercy do not end. Remind me that I am made new. Remind me that my filth isn't simply washed out of my life, but that I am given new life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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