Isaiah 61 - 10.17.25
Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-4
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those
who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes, the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
Observations:
This is a Scripture Jesus read in the temple.
It was His mission. He has commissioned us to fulfill it as well.
We are to proclaim good news to the poor.
Bind up the brokenhearted.
Proclaim freedom to the captives.
Release prisoners from darkness.
Proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
I love His exchange:
Beauty for Ashes.
Joy instead of mourning.
Praise instead of despair.
By doing this we will display God’s splendor, rebuild ancient ruins, and restore places long devastated.
Application:
As I look at the list above I need to ask myself:
What am I doing?
What do I need to do better?
What am I neglecting?
Who do you want me to share with?
All the words above are action words. God does not call us to be spectators. He calls us to join with him in His work. Through His power I can rebuild and restore.
Prayer:
Lord,
You offer such a good exchange beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. Thank you! Please forgive me for times when I walk ignoring all you have for me. Please help me give to you those things that hold me back and receive your goodness. Then, I can go and help others do the same. Thank you for Jesus’s example. I want to follow it. Thank you for the Holy Spirit to guide and empower me. Please show me who you have purposed for me to share with and the right time to do so.
Amen
- Cindy Howard
