“So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”
— Matthew 22:11-14
Every morning I choose to wear clothes that will be suitable for the day I have ahead. I select the garments for where I plan to be. It could be housework, school to pick up my granddaughter, shopping or church. Occasionally I might be preparing and planning to attend a wedding. When that happens, I think about acceptable attire for the wedding, I shop for a suitable garment and make myself ready for the occasion.
In the matter of spiritual preparedness, what would be the proper wedding garment for my Friend, the King?
Some trust in chariots and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright. Save Lord! May the King answer us when we call.
— Psalm 20:7-9
I think the wedding garment is trust in Him, believing in His saving, cleansing blood that changes my attire from unacceptable to fine white linen, my most necessary garment to get to heaven. I need to put on my trust-in-Jesus robe right now and every single day so that I can be ready for His coming again. I will forget about trusting in chariots and horses (my own plans and strength). A fast-moving chariot or fierce war horse is not going to get me through the battle to victory in Jesus. Chariots and horses are not proper wedding garments. Instead, I will remember the name of the Lord, believe in Him, trust Him and put all my hope in Him. I want to have on the wedding garment He has given me so that He will see me and know that I have accepted His invitation. I want Him to know that I am looking forward to that great day of the Lord when He welcomes those of us who believe into His kingdom and the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great! And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying,”Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”
— Revelation 19:5-9
Psalm 20:7-9 answers the wedding garment question. Those who remember the name of the Lord our God will rise and stand upright; they will call out Save Lord! Those who trust in God’s resurrection power and saving strength instead of worldly plans and things – those chariots and horses that seem so sure, but will surely fail—will be seen by King Jesus because we will be wearing the wedding garments. I don’t want to trust my own chariot transport to get to heaven. I don’t want to trust the strength of my war horse to maneuver through the battle. My own plans, abilities and strength just won’t get me to the marriage supper. I’m going to trust Him. It’s going to be a wonderful party. Oh the anticipation of seeing Jesus face to face and be filled with love, trust and joy!
Recently I called to my Savior asking to hear His voice. I had anxious thoughts, a sense of loneliness and fear. A sneaky lie had slithered in: “You are not good enough to make it to heaven.” I called out to God in prayer. Then I stayed quiet while I waited for His word. And there it was, barely perceptible and I had almost gone past it with my own thoughts. But it was there: that still, small voice. His words always align with Scripture. His soft voice, so quiet yet present indeed, whispered, “I am with you.” These words in Scripture are found in Matthew 28:20 ...I am with you always even to the end of the age. Amen.
Praise God! Arrayed in my wedding garment of trust and hope of salvation in Christ, I was greatly assured. Someday, I’m heading to the banquet in heaven with the church because I know I am clothed in His righteousness. He is with me always to the end of the age. Amen.
Dear readers, beloved of Jesus clothed in wedding garments, call to Him. Ask for His word. The Lord who saves will answer when we call!
Sarah has been attending COTR since 2018. She plays violin on the worship team at COTR and is a co-leader of a ladies life group that meets Wednesday mornings. She and her husband, Rick (who plays bass guitar on the worship team), are retired. In addition to playing violin, cello, piano and ukulele, Sarah loves to bake sourdough bread, knit, draw family and animal portraits and write funny stories.