Hospitality, Friendship, Encouragement

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Beauty For Ashes


Isaiah 61:1-3
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me
To Preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim
liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort those who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give the Beauty for Ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that HE may be glorified."
This phrase has been in my mind this morning. Beauty for Ashes. This is what our God gives us, to replace the yuck in our lives.
There are so many hurting people, relationships suffering, all due to wrong choices. Choices that don't honor God, and bring pain to all.
But our God tells us that He will give us Beauty for Ashes. What a beautiful word picture our God paints - to explain His lovingkindness.
I don't know about you, but I am clinging to the promises of our Great God.

3 comments:

sherry said...

Broken vessels fit for honor, that's us.

"...that HE may be glorified."

Anonymous said...

Oil of Joy for Mourning. This is appropriate today, for my neighbor's are having the memorial for their Mom/Grandma.

Have you heard the song, Beauty for Ashes? It's a worship song. It goes right along with this and is beautiful. If not, let me know and I will find it for you!!

Also, I love your picture and that now we can see the whole thing!! It would look so good in your home!

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Miss Paula, you are right, that picture would be beautiful in my home!

I have not heard the worship song Beauty for Ashes, please see if you can find it for me!

Happy Christmas Adam!

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