Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "garment". There are a few words translated garment but we will be looking at the word found in Isaiah 61:3.

3 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. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "ma`ateh". Strong's Concordance says: vestment. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: a wrap, a mantle. This is something to be worn, of course, but the real importance of this particular "garment" is found when we look at verses 1-3 together:

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 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. KJV

Isaiah was saying that the Spirit of the Lord was upon him as Prophet to minister to the people. Under our new and better covenant every born again believer has the Spirit of God within them AND upon them to carry out our Ministry of Reconciliation, sharing JESUS with everyone He leads us to. We are anointed to preach the Gospel,  to comfort people with the Word, to lay hands on the sick for healing, to encourage them in praise and worship so that they, too, can realize the presence of God. And in all of this HE is glorified! I have noticed a shifting in the praise and worship leaders and songs that have been coming out lately. A boldness and an anointing that moves people and draws them into His presence. Miracles have been occurring by people simply pouring their hearts out in worship to the King of kings! I believe that as you (we, all of us) continue in this worship, we will step into a deeper awareness of just Who He is - in us - and who WE are - IN HIM! Here is a song that is very personal in worship by Brandon Lake called "Nothing New":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!