Untying the sackcloth, what is it?
By: Carole L. Haines
“Hear, Lord, and be gracious to me; Lord, be my helper.”
11 You have turned my mourning into dancing for me;
You have untied my sackcloth and encircled me with joy,
12 That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.
Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. (Psalm 30:10-12 NASB)
Yesterday we discussed the wondrous truth that God encircles us with strength and joy. Notice in the above Scripture all that God does for us.
We cry out for God to be gracious, to be our helper.
He has turned our mourning into dancing.
He has untied our sackcloth.
He has encircled us with joy.
As I pondered these precious truths, I realized that, according to this Scripture, I must first admit that I am in mourning over the losses and griefs of my life before God can truly bring me into a place of dancing. And I must allow God to untie my sackcloth before He can encircle me with His joy. I cannot do this myself. I cannot deny the sackcloth, but I must embrace that it is actually there, smothering my potential for joy and dancing in my spirit and soul.
So, what is sackcloth?
“Sackcloth and ashes were used in Old Testament times as a symbol of debasement, mourning, and/or repentance. Someone wanting to show his repentant heart would often wear sackcloth, sit in ashes, and put ashes on top of his head. Sackcloth was a coarse material usually made of black goat’s hair, making it quite uncomfortable to wear. The ashes signified desolation and ruin…Sackcloth and ashes were also used as a public sign of repentance and humility before God.”
What is the meaning of sackcloth and ashes? | GotQuestions.org
We find a Scripture in the New Testament that perfectly describes repentance.
“10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. (2 Corinthians 7:10 NASB)
Two kinds of sorrow, both yielding a different result depending on the sorrow we choose for ourselves. I believe I have been wallowing in worldly sorrow for over 10 years now. How long have you been carrying the sorrow that leads to death in your own life. Pray with me, if you feel led to have your mourning turned to dancing and receive the very joy of the Lord Himself.
Lord Jesus, please show us how to transfer our grief onto you. You are the only One who can actually carry it away from our hearts and our souls. We sit before You now with open hearts and open minds, giving what we can no longer carry, yielding a burden you already paid for and now we are no longer meant to bear. Please receive this grievous offering. In Jesus Holy name we pray. Amen!
Next time we will explore what it actually means to invite God to untie the Sackcloth covering our hearts, souls and minds. Until then, may the Lord bless you and keep you in His perfect love.
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