The Lord has sent me
to provide for those
who mourn in Zion—
to give them a garland
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise
instead of a faint spirit.
Isaiah 61:3
Happy New Year from your Daily Devotions (and a guy who … likes to write them).
This devotional outreach is part of my ongoing faith enrichment. Week-after-week I have the privilege of not just stepping into the Word, but journeying in faith alongside each of you. I look at it is the privilege … of providing. Of providing what? Hopefully a living link to our Living Lord.
That’s how Isaiah viewed his ministry. As he says, he was called – at this stage of his journey – to a ministry of “provid[ing].” Of providing what? Hope … “for those who mourn.”
A little bit of context … In the first part of Isaiah, the prophet provided warning. For about forty chapters, he said, “Repent. Repent. Turn back to God, or God will take his hand of protection off.” They didn’t turn back. God’s hand of protection came off. And by chapter 61 in Isaiah, “Zion” (Jerusalem, Judah) had been totally conquered by the Babylonians. Consequently, God’s people are defeated. Scattered. Mourning. Lost.
God won’t reject his people. Hear that! If and when you mess up, God won’t destroy you. He may discipline you – which was what the Babylonian exile was – but he won’t destroy you. Thus, God sends the prophet again. Once Isaiah’s job was to provide warning. Now it’s his job to “provide” hope. Isaiah points to the God who will provide “garland[s] instead of ashes,” “[anointings] of gladness instead of mourning,” “mantle[s] of praise instead of faint [weak, defeated] spirit[s].”
Are you mourning anything? God hasn’t abandoned you. What are the garlands, mantles, and anointings that you’re discovering, even in the midst of these trials? (And if you’re not seeing them yet, say to God, “Father, you have promised; I am trusting that they will come.”
In Christ’s Love,
a guy who wants
to provide … hope
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