Put it On

Posted bymusingsofmanettekayPosted inChristian Living, Devotional, PrayerTags:, , , , , , , , , , ,

Do you ever experience days when you feel a heaviness of soul? On days like that, I know I must be intentional about my thoughts and actions. If I’m not, I will soon end out in a pit such as David speaks of. “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure” (Psalm 40:2, ESV).

Becoming Victorious
On a recent morning, I went through a mental battle. Wanting to avoid the horrible pit. I literally had to make myself get up, out of bed. The single-digit temps were not enticing me outside. Yet I needed some exercise to help stimulate the release of dopamine and endorphins in my body. I got on my treadmill with my prayer cards. But I was forcing and fighting thoughts, “How can I even talk with my Lord when I’m in such a sour state? Won’t my prayers be shallow and vain if they are coming from a dutiful checklist?” Then an old song came to mind. One I taught my children when they were young but haven’t heard in years.

A Deliberate Choice
The song lyrics speak of, “put[ting] on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” There is an appropriate garment for entering the presence of the Lord. I had to choose to put on the proper garment just as I would if I were to go outside in the freezing temps. Those lyrics come directly from the prophet Isaiah. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me. . . to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified” (Isaiah 61:1-3, KJV).

The song rushed into my mind and I sang it again and again as I walked the treadmill. Joy filled my heart taking away the heaviness, replacing it with sincere praise and adoration, and then I was able to approach the throne and pray.

The psalmist shares explicit instruction on how to rightly approach the Lord. “Come before his presence with singing. . . enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless his name” (Psalm 100:2b and 4, NKJV).

Dear Reader, let me encourage you to sing even when you don’t feel like you can. The Holy Spirit will help lift your weight as you genuinely come to the presence of the Almighty with singing, thanksgiving, and praise.

The first video clip is of the song that prompted me to put on the right garment that morning. The second is new to me but I found it while searching for the other and it speaks of the same truths. I hope one or both minister to someone today who finds themselves near the edge of a miry clay pit.

Prayer
Father God, thank You for teaching us through Scripture the proper way to come into Your presence. You have given simple instructions. Forgive me for making it more difficult than it needs to be. Thank You for inspiring the Psalmist and Isaiah to write the words of long ago. Thank You for the people who put them to new melodies in more recent times. The grace of Jesus is a beautiful gift. I’m grateful for the Holy Spirit who dwells within me. Hallelujah and amen!

Author Bio
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, grandmother, great-grandmother, foster care parent, and trauma survivor. I enjoy sipping tea, writing devotionals, prayers, short stories, and unburdening my heart to the Lord. Check the About page if you want to read more of my story.

Would you like to know more about the afterlife and how you can be assured of eternity in Heaven? Check the Questions page.

Check the Free Gifts page for downloadable/printable study guides and resources.

Copyright © 2020-2023 Musings of Manette Kay™ All rights reserved. Requests to the author and publisher, Manette Kay, for permission.


Photo of brass pot by Stephanie Harvey on Unsplash.
Textual prayers added by Manette Kay.

Published by musingsofmanettekay

Sharing bits of memoir in the format of devotionals, prayers, short stories, and occasionally a poem.

15 thoughts on “Put it On”

  1. Thank you Manette for this encouraging post today, and particularly the first song. I find myself not downcast but certainly struggling with stress, which makes me less than joyful to say the least. Indeed we are called to praise, even when we find it hard – that is why it’s called a sacrifice of praise I think. God bless you today sister.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I expect when we are vulunerable and share our struggles and victories in Christ, God uses them to minister to others. Offering hope and encouragement much like we can excavate from the stories of those who lived during Biblical times. Yet there is an additional truth relayed in a current testimony, God’s workings and power are not only historical they are relevant, for us, today because HE lives. Hallelujah!

      Glad you liked the song. May it’s refrain stick with you as a reminder. Thanks for serving as you do and offering encouragement to many. Blessings.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. “Come before His presence with singing.” Of course, I’ve read this before, and also the passage from Isaiah, but never thought about how singing God’s praise can bring us to the right heart of worship. I started singing the song you mentioned as soon as you brought it up in the story! I couldn’t help but think about Paul and Silas, there in that prison, singing praise choruses in the middle of the night! The Bible says the prisoners were listening to them, but so was God! You’ve given me a great strategy to start my day, Manette Kay. Thank you so much! God Bless.

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    1. Thanks, David. Me too regarding the strategy. I need to use every means and tool offered in battle with the evil one. The image of Paul and Silas is indeed beautiful and I suspect the had to put their faith into action despite their “feelings” about being locked in prison. Have a blessed day.

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    1. Yes, the accuser attempts to deceive us into thinking we are alone in our struggles. We are usually not in that unique of a situation and we are never alone when we rely upon God to pull us up as we praise HIM. Thanks for reading and sharing.

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  5. Manette, I am so sorry that you had a rough day, but glad you shared it with us, because I too, for the past couple weeks have been in the dumps both spiritually and also physically (because of COVID – the Amicron Variant). I got sour about almost everything. Finally, I went to my piano and played the beautiful Christian songs that I know best. The Lord’s Spirit never fails when we begin to seek Him. God’s presence and the words of the songs brought back the joy and strength I needed. Thank you for sharing, and God bless you and your family.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. This is living faith, serving God in praise (or any other way) when our emotions head in another direction, when our intellect can give no reason, because “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”. Faith is how we live with God, not what we ‘believe’ in our brains.
    Peace

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