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The Garment of Praise

  • To provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland 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, the planting of Yahweh, that he may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3 WEB.

    Have you ever felt so down, so sluggish, that you begin to ask yourself, "What is the point of it all?" There are many things in this verse, but the one that I want to discuss today is the "spirit of heaviness." It is better known by its bona fide name: "Depression."

    The spirit of heaviness can settle on anyone given the right circumstances, and none of us are immune to it. We all like to think that we have it together, but really, we are just one phone call away from crying at any given moment.

    Once, we became overworked and nearly burned out, so we went to an exhilarating praise and worship conference that lasted for three days. After the first night, I began to feel lighter and brighter. Each hour we spent there under the music brought renewal, a refreshing of our spirit, like standing under a waterfall.

    When I first arrived, I was feeling pretty down and cynical. Yet afterward, I was as light as a feather and cheerful. By the time I left the conference, I felt like I was walking on air and didn't have a care in the world. I would not have cared if the world were ending. That time soaking in praise and worship brought an immediate change in our life. We had exchanged the spirit of heaviness for the garment of praise.

    Praise and depression are polar opposites and repel each other. If you are down, depressed, or heavy, you will not feel like praising the Lord. If you are praising the Lord, then you will not feel like being depressed.

    If you feel "heavy" today, find some good praise and worship music and soak in it for an hour. Listen to it while working. Begin to praise the Lord along with it, and that spirit of heaviness will flee out of hearing range. The garment of praise drives away the spirit of heaviness.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise You today. Please deliver me from the spirit of heaviness. Fill my life with Your presence. Bring the right people, the right music, and the right opportunities into my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

    Note: Happy Sunday :)! All are invited to join us this morning for our RHM Live Online church service. This is a special time of worship, prayer, fellowship and an inspiring message. All are welcome! Here is the link to join: RHM Live


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20 comments
  • 3
Debi Burton
Debi Burton Heavenly Father, I praise You today. Please deliver me from the spirit of heaviness. Fill my life with Your presence. Bring the right people, the right music, and the right opportunities into my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! ❤️
January 8, 2023
  • 2
Candy Laventure
Candy Laventure

Amen!

January 8, 2023
  • 2
Patricia Walker
Patricia Walker

AMEN. Heavenly Father, I praise YOU Lord..now and always. AMEN

January 8, 2023
  • 2
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann

Amen Thank you Father for your healing worship music

January 8, 2023
  • 2
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

Fill my mind, body and spirit with Your Presence Lord! Amen 

January 8, 2023
  • 2
Maria Melendez
Maria Melendez

Amen !

January 8, 2023
  • 2
Yvette York
Yvette York

Amen Good Morning Everyone Have A Blessed Sunday 

January 8, 2023
  • 2
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

God keep me happy and grateful for all my blessings.  Amen

January 8, 2023
  • 2
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!!

January 8, 2023
  • 2
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Bring the right people, the right music, and the right opportunities into my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

January 8, 2023
  • 2
Celeste Strenn
Celeste Strenn

Amen❣️❣️

January 8, 2023
  • 2
Roseanne Braverman
Roseanne Braverman

One who sings well prays twice????????❤️????????

January 8, 2023
  • 2
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Yes, please, amen Lord. 

January 8, 2023
  • 2
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardleedited: January 8, 2023

Amen and Amen!!! The garment of Praise, another blessing from our Heavenly Father who loves us so much in good times, bad times even in times of immense heartaches and deepest sorrow, thank you Lord, praise Your Holy Name!!! Thank you Pastor Dion for another comforting message showing us the endless love of our Father!!! (h5)

January 8, 2023
  • 2
David Fabillaran
David Fabillaran

Amen Lord Jesus!

January 8, 2023
  • 2
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen! 

January 8, 2023
  • 2
Brenda F
Brenda F

Amen

January 8, 2023
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

Praise You Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

January 8, 2023
  • 1
David Krull
David Krull

Yes Lord. I praise the Name of Jesus Christ. Thank you for this day and for the life You have given me. This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. I love you Lord. 

January 9, 2023
  • 1
Janet Sorensen
Janet Sorensen

That might work if you are just sad or having a bad day. It's nice to think that clinical depression is something that can be cured by praising God. But it's not. I have made this point a couple of times. If you need meds, therapy or whatever, that doesn't mean you're not praising God enough. I will be happy to explain further if anyone cares, or to find another place to worship if no one does. I have done two stints in a psych ward and have had ECT. I was praying and begging for help the whole time. I'm sorry, but this kind of message is discouraging to me because it just isn't true, and it sends the WRONG message about mental health. If you have cancer or diabetes, or any other kind of health problem, no one criticizes you for getting help or tells you to just praise God and get over it. Please don't do it to those of us with REAL depression, bipolar disorder, or whatever. 

January 10, 2023