Seasons of Joy

CELEBRATE AGAIN!
Terry R. Baughman

“I will sing and greatly rejoice in Yahweh! My whole being vibrates with shouts of joy in my God! For he has dressed me with salvation and wrapped me in the robe of his righteousness! I appear like a bridegroom on his wedding day, decked out with a beautiful sash, or like a radiant bride adorned with sparkling jewels” (Isaiah 61:10 TPT).

The month of June is often a season for weddings. Many women plan their special occasion so they can be a June Bride. Whatever the date, a marriage is a special event and a time to rejoice.
When God inspired the prophet to choose a metaphor for the joy of salvation, He chose the wedding day. This passage reverberates with joyous celebration, from singing and rejoicing to shouts of joy to God, affecting the entire being. He also spoke of the beautiful clothing of the bride and groom. God dressed them with salvation and a robe of righteousness!

Paul wrote to believers, “To put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV). This new life after the New Birth is a season of rejoicing as we identify with the Bride of Christ. We are clothed in His righteousness and made new in His salvation. That’s a good reason to rejoice! 

The prophet Isaiah predicted miraculous events when Messiah would come bringing the hope of Salvation. Jesus read from these verses when He returned to the synagogue in Nazareth after the launch of His ministry. He declared His mission and stated that the words of the prophet were being fulfilled, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21 NKJ). 

Isaiah declared that Messiah would come, “To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:3 NKJ). It’s time to get dressed for the occasion, it’s a season of joy!



Theme passage:
“For God has given us these seasons of joy, days … decreed for us to celebrate and rejoice” (Psalm 81:4 TPT).