Last night I was reading through Zechariah when Joshua the high priest was standing clothed in filthy garments before the LORD and His angels with Satan opposing him. Satan is an accuser of the brethren, and likely in his mind he had a valid point given Joshua's filthy appearance. But God rebuked the devil and did not debate the fact Joshua was indeed filthy. God compared to Joshua being a "brand plucked out the fire," and if you have ever touched wood which has been scorched you know soot and ash is nigh impossible to clean. God knew full well Joshua's condition before He brought Joshua into His presence. God's grace would prove abundant.
Now the part of the story which opened my eyes with excitement is in Zechariah 3:3-4: "Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. 4 Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, "Take away the filthy garments from him." And to him He said, "See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes." See what God did for Joshua? He plucked him from the burning, removed his filthy garments from him and had rich robes prepared especially for Him. Notice God removed Joshua's stained clothes, supplied new robes, and also clothed him with them. Joshua had no power to remove his clothes himself, as they were a picture of his iniquity. Joshua also could not clothe himself with the robe God promised to supply. He needed to submit to God for His cleansing and his new clothing.
This is a great picture of how Satan works to oppose and accuse Christians who have been saved from destruction through repentance and faith in Christ. The devil doesn't stop his attacks by virtue of us being in God's presence: he may ramp up his assault! But God be praised, for our Saviour rebukes the enemy, removes our iniquity, and imputes unto us His righteousness. We can fall prey to the devil's accusations because of our sin and despair, forgetting God desires to cleanse and restore us. We can become frustrated in the efforts of our flesh to absolve ourselves of guilt and to walk in holiness. Only God can do these things and He is glad to do so for all who repent.
How gracious is our holy God, who loves us enough to pull us out of the fire, remove our iniquity, and clothe us in His royal righteousness. Let us rejoice along with God's people in Isaiah 61:10: "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." Jesus Christ is our royal tailor, and our righteousness is in Him.
Now the part of the story which opened my eyes with excitement is in Zechariah 3:3-4: "Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. 4 Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, "Take away the filthy garments from him." And to him He said, "See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes." See what God did for Joshua? He plucked him from the burning, removed his filthy garments from him and had rich robes prepared especially for Him. Notice God removed Joshua's stained clothes, supplied new robes, and also clothed him with them. Joshua had no power to remove his clothes himself, as they were a picture of his iniquity. Joshua also could not clothe himself with the robe God promised to supply. He needed to submit to God for His cleansing and his new clothing.
This is a great picture of how Satan works to oppose and accuse Christians who have been saved from destruction through repentance and faith in Christ. The devil doesn't stop his attacks by virtue of us being in God's presence: he may ramp up his assault! But God be praised, for our Saviour rebukes the enemy, removes our iniquity, and imputes unto us His righteousness. We can fall prey to the devil's accusations because of our sin and despair, forgetting God desires to cleanse and restore us. We can become frustrated in the efforts of our flesh to absolve ourselves of guilt and to walk in holiness. Only God can do these things and He is glad to do so for all who repent.
How gracious is our holy God, who loves us enough to pull us out of the fire, remove our iniquity, and clothe us in His royal righteousness. Let us rejoice along with God's people in Isaiah 61:10: "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." Jesus Christ is our royal tailor, and our righteousness is in Him.
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