Do you live as a child of God? Or do you still insist on passing on God’s gifts to you? This might sound funny, but we often refuse God’s blessings because we either think we don’t deserve them or don’t dare to receive them because others might be jealous of them. Crazy, right? Who are we to refuse anything God wants to give to us? God knows best so we should say “yes, please” to anything he suggests for us. So, clothe yourself with strength, not with your own strength but with the strength, God wants to give you, and live as whom God says you are: a child of God.

Awake, awake, Zion,
    clothe yourself with strength!
(Isaiah 52:1a, NIV)

God has prepared a bright future, to be entered into by faith God’s given for you. So do not back off for any reason. Receive all the gifts God wants to give to you. And, remember, God does not give as the world gives. God’s gifts are spiritual in nature, hence they last forever.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24, NIV)

Clothe Yourself with Strength

Too often we forget to put off our old selves and keep on relying on our own strength. And we all know our own strength does not get us very far. So why do we insist on passing on God’s strength? Why do we not put off our old selves when something far better is available?

We are to put on the new self, not just once in a lifetime but daily. Each and every morning we need to clothe ourselves with God’s strength. Then we are ready to face what the day will bring. Not by our own strength but by God’s mighty strength. And it does make a huge difference.

God is waiting to be wanted, to be invited to show his power in your life. Do not refuse his love. And do not refuse to trust God. Instead, clothe yourself with strength, power, and eternal hope. And be created anew after the likeness of God. Your life will be better for it. Then it’s not about you and your abilities but God’s abilities and they are limitless.

Gracious God,
Thank you for reminding us that we should never refuse your gifts for any reason.
So we say “yes, please” to you from now on.
We thank you for your kindness and willingness to bless us.
Clothe us with your strength, power, and hope.
Use us for your glory.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

P.S.

We are not humble when we refuse God’s gifts, we are just prideful and stubborn. So let’s stop doing that. Instead, let’s stay open for what God wants to do for us and through us. Let’s continue to be in awe of God’s work in us, for us, and through us. God has prepared a bright future for you. Enter into it by faith! You won’t be sorry.