Is there more to praise than clapping hands, singing, and celebrating accomplishments? Could praise become a life well-lived for God and others? Followers of Jesus are wrapped in God’s lovingkindness. Does that make you pause and praise the God of the Universe? Are you adorned in a garment of praise … even in times of despair?
With this perspective, praise could be a joy that spills out onto others.
To grant to those who mourn in Zion–
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:3 ESV)
In troubled times, troubled finances, troubled health, and yes, even in troubled marriages, Jesus replaces that trouble, that weakness, that discord with beauty, gladness, and a garment of praise. Why? So that we may be called oaks of righteousness, God’s work, strength embodied in righteousness. This results in our LORD being glorified.
God has given us many opportunities to turn hardships into beauty that produces gladness and praise, making us strong as God grows our love. This glorifies Him.
From A Garment of Grief
In 1 Samuel 1, we see Hannah wearing a garment of grief. Hannah was married to Elkanah, and she had no children. Elkanah had another wife named Peninnah who had children and boasted about her children to Hannah. Hannah was so distressed that she couldn’t eat.
In those days, if a woman was barren, others thought that there was a hidden sin that she had not confessed. They believed that God was judging her and causing her barrenness.
Hannah was focused on her disappointment and grief.
Focusing on disappointment creates a garment of grief.
Are you wearing a garment of grief?
Has grief caused you to wonder if God is disciplining you or judging you? Are you wondering if your faith is weak and that’s why you don’t have that blessing that you so desperately desire?
Maybe you are wondering if God hears you.
He is listening.
To A Garment of Joy
God hears His people and works in their lives.
Each year, Elkanah, Peninnah, and Hannah traveled to Shiloh to offer their tithes and offerings. One year, Hannah was so distraught that she stood before the tabernacle weeping and praying, silently moving her lips. She made a vow to God that if He would give her a son, she would give him back to serve the Lord.
Eli, the priest, accused Hannah of being drunk. She told him she was praying for a son. He told her that God would grant her request.
“Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to Him”
(1 Samuel 1:17 NKJV)
She went home convinced that God would give her a son. The next year, Samuel was born. After Hannah weaned Samuel, Hannah and Elkanah traveled to Shiloh and presented him to Eli to serve God the rest of his life.
Hannah’s garment of grief had turned to a garment of praise that glorified God.
And Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the LORD;
My horn is exalted in the LORD.
I smile at my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation.
No one is holy like the LORD,
For there is none besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.”
(1 Samuel 2:1-2 NKJV)
God heard Hannah’s prayer and led her from great disappointment onto the path of joy. For she recognized that there is no one holy like Yahweh, our Eternal, Self-Existing God.
The testing of her faith brought Hannah to God in prayer. The work of God caused her to praise and honor God.
Hannah’s journey from grief to praise bless the people of Israel with her son, Samuel. Centuries later, Hannah’s praise inspired Mary, the mother of Jesus, as she spoke of God’s mighty work in her life in Luke 1:46-55.
Holy Joy Clothes You In Beauty
Our tested faith is more precious than gold and results in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus. (1 Peter 1:6-9)
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NKJV)
Paul rejoiced as he wrote the book of Philippians in prison. How is it possible to rejoice even in times of trouble?
Charles Spurgeon describes the “holy joy” in Philippians 4:4.
Holy joy will beautify you, and, as I have already said, give you an influence over the lives of others. It is upon this point that I would most of all insist, we are commanded to rejoice in the Lord. If you cannot speak the gospel, live the gospel by your cheerfulness; for what is the gospel? Glad tidings of great joy; and you who believe it must show by its effect upon you that it is glad tidings of great joy to you.[1]
Great joy, holy joy, a garment of praise, a praise that glorifies God – that is our calling. When we wear that garment of praise, we can also use it to bless others. I asked a few women what a garment of praise looked like.
- Words of thankfulness flowing to Him for all He does.
- A continual attitude of gratefulness rather than entitlement.
- Honor and adoration.
- Beautiful words of encouragement.
Are you adorned in a garment of praise?
Let’s glorify our gracious God. Please share your garment of praise journey in the comments section.
Related Links
This post is an adaptation of text I wrote for “Reflecting God’s Love in Marriage: A Call to Action for Wives” Bible Study.
[1] Charles Spurgeon, Joy, A Duty, March 24, 1895, https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/2405.cfm
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