Back in the day, I was raised under the tutelage and provision of God, in the pioneer spirit, acknowledging that God provides, and we were self-sufficient people within that framework. It was a family tradition to show love and save money by sewing clothing for our family. Girls and boys learned to use the sewing machine because there were indoor and outdoor sewing needs.

Our call in life is to follow Christ in the showing of love to one another. I sewed for my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, beginning with baby layettes. As they grew, I made all manner of garments including shirts, jackets, ski-suits, and Laura Ashley prairie dresses for the girls. The time of making wedding dresses left bits of lace draped over the sewing machine, and sequins sparkled in the sunshine. A large hook still marks the spot where the dresses hung while in process. I treasure the days of visits and fittings. Although my reasons for making clothing were temporal and short-lived, the time was exquisitely filled with joy.

Our awesome God was in the garment business long before I was, but the garments that He provides are of an eternal nature. These garments can never be outgrown, become hand-me-downs, be cast aside if they no longer fit, or deteriorate, because they are holy.

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10 KJV)

The Lord’s reason for providing these garments is to make us acceptable to Himself in heaven. These are spiritual garments that will not be touched by the needle of a sewing machine or a human hand, because the fabric is the righteousness of Christ. The spiritual garment is endowed to the believer by the work of God’s own Son. Our precious gift of salvation is sewn into the seams by the work of our Saviour. The joy that God receives as He gives the covering is as great as the joy that we feel when we receive the gift.

God’s love for us is deeper than we can imagine. He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, so that when He looks at a believer, He sees us through His Son’s purity and holiness. When we awaken with the rising sun each morning, we can go to our wonderful Saviour and check our spirit to see if we are in a right relationship with the Lord for the day. Let’s be sure that we are living and breathing to His honour and glory.

Prayer: Dear Lord, You are precious to behold, and You build our faith as we walk in Your very own righteousness each day. Thank You for Your guidance and power to live life according to Your ways. Amen.

Copyright © 2021, by Karen Milam <karenbmilam@gmail.com>, first published on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional presbycan.ca .
Penn Valley, California, USA

Reprinted from PresbyCan with author’s permission