Isa 61:10 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11. For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.
Isa 62:1 For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch.
2. The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow. 3. You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
EXCUSES vs. EXCELLENCE
Text: Isaiah 61:10 – 62:3
“Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, "Why is the bride wearing white?" Her mother said, "Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her of her life!" The little girl thought about this for a minute, then asked, "Why is the groom wearing black?" (Steve May. The Story File. “A Good Question”. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 2000, p. 203). This passage of scripture Isaiah 61:10 – 62:3, reflects the beauty of a wedding. The church has often been described as the bride of Christ. Just as a bride changes her name, God gives us a new name. Just as the bride and groom of a wedding are dressed up, God dresses up His people. God dressed His people with righteousness and salvation then. God also dresses His people with righteousness and salvation now. And God dresses up His people in every generation in the robe of His righteousness. God dresses them up because God wants them to shine.
These passages from Isaiah 61:10 – 62:3 refer to a time of rebuilding and restoration. God clothes His people with righteousness and salvation. God was giving them what they needed but did not have. They were to be called by a new name because God was making them a new people with a purpose. They were to be God’s crown (diadem). They were a crown of beauty in the hand of God. They were called to excel as a new people, as a crown and the garments of salvation. God wanted nations to see the righteousness of His people. How often do we make excuses and look for loopholes when we fall short of our calling to shine for God?
EXCUSES
What kind of excuses do we make for our shortcomings?
We are creative when it comes to excuses. We sometimes make excuses that seek to dismiss us of where we have fallen short. How many times have you heard of a cliché kind of excuse? The teacher asks a student where his homework is and what do you think he or she gives as an excuse? “The dog ate it.” “I left it at home and forgot to bring it”. The point is that for every shortcoming we could make an excuse that fits whatever the situation is.
“W. C. Fields was reading the Bible. A friend came in and said “What in the world are you doing?” Mr. Fields didn’t ordinarily read the Bible. He said, “I am looking for loopholes”. (Roy B. Zuck. The Speaker’s Quote Book. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1997, p. 138). It has been said, that W. C. Fields was approaching the last chapter of his life when he was looking for these loopholes.
One of the connotations of a loophole is that of avoiding a responsibility.
Before the beginning of every year we make a list of our New Year’s Resolutions. When we fail at keeping a resolution, we might find ourselves looking for an alibi or a way to justify where we failed and why.
Why do people make excuses for falling short? It is human nature for us to tell stories because we do not like to admit our failures and shortcomings to ourselves. When we make excuses for our shortcomings, we look for an alibi. When we make excuses we usually tend to look for some plausible loophole that might seem persuasive. “You have heard such excuses. Perhaps you have used them yourself: “I’m too young”; or, “I’m just one person”; or, “I’m too busy”; or, “I’m too old.” The prophet Jeremiah said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy” (Jeremiah 1:6). As someone (James W. Moore) has wisely said, “we try to justify ourselves with our words”. (James. W. Moore. Yes, Lord, I Have Sinned But I Have Several Excellent Excuses. Nashville: Dimensions For Living, 1991, p. 14). No matter how plausible or convincing our excuses may be, we cannot escape the understanding that God has called us to excel!
EXCELLENCE
What are some of the things you think about when you hear the word excellence?
One of the things that we think about is quality. Another thing we tend to think about when it comes to excellence is striving to exceed above average or mediocrity. Vince Lombardi once put it this way: “The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to that person's commitment to excellence, regardless of the chosen field of endeavor”. Without God’s help we cannot succeed and excel. That is why God gives His people new clothes and a new name.
God gives us what we need to deliver our best performance. It has been said that Tom Hanks helped a fellow actor off camera to do his best when they were making the movie “The Green Mile”. Hanks helped Michael Duncan—a rising actor. Tom did all that he could to help Michael Duncan deliver the best possible performance. "In 1999 Michael Clarke Duncan was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category. Tom Hanks, however, was not nominated.” (David P. Barrett. ed. More Perfect Illustrations For Every Topic And Occasion. [(Citation: Excerpted from the behind-the-scenes documentary "Walking the Mile" (Warner Home Video, 1999); submitted by Rich Tatum; Wheaton, Illinois)]. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 2003, pp. 83 - 84).
God has given us all that we need for our best possible performance in Jesus Christ. God has given us His Best in His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God has given us His grace, clothed us in His robe of righteousness and He has called us to excel as Christian disciples.
We are a crown in God’s hand with a new year in front of us to shine for God. Consider how I Peter 2:9 sheds light on who we are and what we are about as the people of God: “But ye are a elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [God`s] own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (ASV). We are called to be Holy and living sacrifices who humbly pick up our crosses and follow Jesus. As Jesus’ disciples we have been called to excel by being faithful and fruitful.
