eVotional: Isaiah 61:4-6
“To appoint to them that morn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the Ministers of our God”
Isaiah 61:4-6
We don’t always pause and truly value the significance of words. I don’t mean overcomplicating word use such as an exhaustive word study. That can be useful, but what I mean is paying close attention to words in context. We refer to Jesus as redeemer. This applies to more than our salvation. Jesus redeems our time, our health, our loved ones, our personal struggles with sin, and all aspects of our life! It means that he takes burdens, besetting sins, and anything that seeks to hinder our intimacy with him and turns them into blessings. He washes all parts of our life wholly clean.
You have been given a part in the ministry of God. There are people who need salvation, physical healing, miracles, and hearts in desperate need of joy. As the redeemer redeems these areas of your life, be sure to increase the harvest and lead others to the same.
All of the old places and old ways we used to walk in are being renewed day by day! The Lord is not slack and he is not slowing down concerning this. He said he would do it, redeeming all areas of your life and mine, and he is already in the process of bringing it to pass!
I don’t know what the Lord has given you, but I do know that what he has promised won’t delay! Don’t let anyone or any spirit take your focus off of the God who has redeemed you because he has loved you! When our mind is stayed on him, former desolations, current desolations, all begin to pale in comparison to the treasure we have in God. Ashes become beauty. Mourning becomes praise. In him is fullness of joy. In him is victory. In him is perfect peace.
Though things may take time, the Lord is faithful to forgive and renew. Repent and move forward. Don’t let another day pass where you don’t let the Holy Spirit lead you into where he has destined for you to be!