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1/19 Reading Portions: Genesis 20; Matthew 19; Nehemiah 9; Acts 19
Nehemiah 9:21
“Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.”
IMPUTATION
In his prayer, Nehemiah mentioned what was recorded in the Law of Moses. Israel experienced a miracle from God in their clothing not wearing out and their feet not swelling (Deut. 8:4; 29:5). Israel’s deliverance from the bondage of slavery in Egypt, and their subsequent wilderness wandering, foreshadowed our salvation in Christ. How so? We have been delivered from the bondage and penalty of sin, the presence of the Lord is with us, and we have yet to cross the great river into the eternal promise— heaven and its greatest Reward: the unending fellowship in the very presence of the exalted Savior, Jesus Christ. Their clothes did not wear out because it represents the imputed righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, Christ’s righteousness is declared by God to be placed on our account (2 Cor 5:21). Moreover, we are also to wear Christ’s righteousness as a garment (Rom 13:14) to protect us from the cold and cruel elements of this fallen world. And here’s the comforting truth― His imputed righteousness is as eternal as our Savior (Heb 13:8). The clothing of His righteousness never wears out. Additionally, our feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (Eph 6:15). As long as we stand upon the gospel, wearing gospel shoes, our feet will never swell in our gospel walk upon this planet. This is another blessed encouragement. These two truths are spiritual principles we may, and should, apply to our lives. When the gospel truth and the righteousness of Christ are consciously active in our day-to-day lives, our sojourn upon earth will be powerful and effective; our lives will be submissive to Christ and the Holy Spirit, and thereby, glorifying to our heavenly Father. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
God declares us righteous,
By grace, Christ’s good’s applied;
And we must walk in gospel shoes,
‘Cause Jesus bled and died.
