I will find joy in the Lord. I will delight in my God. He has dressed me in the clothes of salvation. He has wrapped me in the robe of righteousness like a bridegroom with a priest’s turban, like a bride with her jewels. [Isaiah 61:10 (GW)]

I like to visualize Bible verses but this verse from Isaiah had escaped me. The typical American groom wears a well-tailored black tuxedo and his lovely bride wears a beautiful gown with some pretty pieces of family jewelry. While lovely, it’s nothing as magnificent as the clothing of salvation and righteousness should be. When going through photos for yesterday’s devotion, I reviewed my pictures from this beautiful Indian wedding. While this couple are neither Jewish nor Christian, their attire helps me picture what Isaiah is saying. The clothes of righteousness aren’t just a tuxedo or a long white dress worn with a pearl necklace and a pair of diamond earrings. They are made of richly woven colorful fabric with gold threads. The materials are laden with pearls, beads, and crystals and the gold jewelry is measured in pounds not ounces! While the groom didn’t wear a turban, he was elaborately dressed. He and his nephew sat on an ornamented saddle as a white horse carried them to the marriage canopy. Every bride is beautiful, but I’ve never seen another bride so richly attired at this stunning young woman was that day. It’s this kind of attire about which Isaiah is speaking: splendid, ornate, extravagant, spectacular and sumptuous. The clothing of salvation and righteousness is all that and more; yet it weighs not an ounce, doesn’t need cleaning, pressing, to be insured, and is always a perfect fit.

Like the ground that brings forth its crops and like a garden that makes the seed in it grow, so the Almighty Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up in front of all nations. [Isaiah 61:11 (GW)]