Throughout life, we will be handed hardship and less-than-ideal circumstances.
However, that doesn’t mean we aren’t aligned with God’s will.
In fact, it is in these places that the Lord shows just how faithful He is.
For Such a Time As This
“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 all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them 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.”
Isaiah 61:1-3, NKJV
Jesus preached this prophetic verse in the temple in Luke 4. And while this encompasses the work of Christ, it is also an assignment and destiny that God has placed on us as well.
God is using your life to make an impact on those around you. He has anointed you to bring His good message to those in darkness, to heal those who have bruised hearts, and to bring divine comfort where grieving is prevalent. God has prepared you for such a time as this!
How Can There Be Mourning in God’s Will?
When I read this particular passage of scripture, I am encouraged and strengthened by it, and also troubled.
The latter part of verse 2 says, “To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion.” It implies that in the trouble, comfort is needed, but why would anyone cry in Zion?
Mourning In Zion
Zion represents where God abides and is filled with His hope and glory. It is where His perfect will is and where He wants each and every one of His saints to be. Now, I don’t know about you, but I don’t just want to linger in this vicinity of Zion; I want to be present right on Main Street, in the middle of His glorious dwelling place!
However, in this passage, we find that some are mourning, and the truth is, you can be in Zion and still grieving.
It is all too common that the saints arrive at church on Sunday morning wearing a façade that everything in their lives is fine. We are greeted at the doors and during service and are asked how we are doing, in which our default response is usually, “I am blessed and highly favored!” Yet, in reality, we are angry with God and pissed off with those around us. (Now, don’t get upset with me; pisseth is a King James word!)
The truth is, it is possible to be in the middle of God’s perfect will for your life and still be broke, have trouble in your marriage, experience disobedience from your children, and walk through political exploitation. In fact, throughout most of our lives following God’s will, we will experience mourning!
Ashes of Life
Isaiah 61:3 says, tells us we will have ashes, but what does that mean? Ashes are the evidence that a fire has destroyed something.
Years ago, I remember having the opportunity to preach in Cleveland, Ohio. I checked into my hotel downtown, and the next morning, I awoke and looked out my window to find the church that once stood across the street was gone. All that was left of this beautiful cathedral were ashes scattered on its foundation.
Truth be told, some of you have gone through challenges and tribulations that have burned down good things. And all that you are left with are the memories of what used to be.
Memories of a good job.
Memories of when you had ample money to pay your bills.
Memories of a strong marriage and a happy family.
Now, the only thing that is left is the ashes.
Ashes of Consequence
God’s word promises that we will have ashes, and with that will come mourning. Maybe they are tears for what was done to you, or perhaps it come with personal grief for the pain you caused other people.
We all have been there. We have ruined relationships, hurt our children, and dwindled our finances to nothing. Perhaps the mourning in Zion has been caused by the people, and they are experiencing a spirit of heaviness.
I think of Linus from the Charlie Brown comic strip. He constantly worries and walks through life with a cloud over his head. Some of you are doing the same: maybe you are worried about what tomorrow will bring, what choices your children will make, and how you will pay your bills next month. Can I encourage you? I believe we serve a God who has the capacity and capability to blow that cloud away and reveal His light and glory!
3 Ways Jesus Makes Us New
Even though we may experience pain in this life, Jesus exchanges that for his life, mercy, and renewal.
Beauty For Ashes
“To give them beauty for ashes…”
P’er, the Hebrew word for beauty, can be defined as a headdress or something you put on.
Saints, God is not only going to put something on your head to help you understand why you’ve gone through what you have, but He will replace your question of why with answers of clarity. I know you are upset about what you have lost, but God will reveal the reason in His perfect timing, bringing you life and encouragement.
As an older teenager, my desire to pastor was evident and continued to grow. During this season, I diligently submitted resumes to many local churches in hopes that I would gain a position to continue learning and flourishing in my pastoral gifting. One particular church I once preached at called me to let me know they would be voting on a new pastor, and they would like me to submit my resume. So, I very quickly sent it to them, and I never heard back from them. Come to find out; they only needed another name to put up against the pastor they would ultimately vote on.
Recently, I had the opportunity to preach at this church, and in doing so, I was gifted the chance to thank them for not choosing me as their pastor. Because had they selected me, I wouldn’t proudly be the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden!
Looking back, God has given me beauty for my ashes, and He has revealed why I had to lose what I did—it was because the opportunity He had in store for me was much better!
Joy For Mourning
“The oil of joy for mourning…”
Are you aware that life can be full of friction? Now, most of you have a car, and that car has an engine. Under that engine are pistons that require oil for it to work correctly. With enough oil, the pistons can move freely, producing more power and reducing the friction they may encounter.
Scripture tells us that God will give you the oil of joy for the tension of mourning. He will provide the oil you need to help you move forward!
I don’t cook, but from what my wife, Trina, tells me, oil is often used in cooking. You can fry chicken, eggs, and vegetables with it, and you know what it does? It keeps the food from sticking to the pan! However, some foods, such as bacon, do not require oil when cooking it. And do you know why? Because when you apply heat to it, the oil on the inside provides all it needs to keep from sticking.
God will do the same in your life: when heat is applied to your circumstances, the oil of joy will exude from the inside out!
Praise For Heaviness
“The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…”
Out of all the terms the Holy Spirit could use to ease heaviness, He uses the term garment. The Hebrew word for garment comes from maateh, which means to sing, celebrate, or boast about God.
What is interesting to me is that garments must be put on. (You got dressed today, right? Your clothing didn’t just jump on you; you had to put your clothes on!) Some of you talk about putting the garment of praise on; however, you never do! Others of you appreciate those who are dressed in their own garment of praise, and you don’t do it because you are concerned with what others will think. Can I challenge you? Put the garment on!
All the tears you have shed, the troubles you have been through, the discrimination you have experienced—God will give you a garment that enables you to praise His name, and He will release you from the spirit of heaviness that has overtaken you.
He is in the business of restoration, and He will exchange your ashes, mourning, and heaviness for beauty, joy, and praise!
Try Him in this and experience the great exchange in your own life!
For more on Isaiah 61, check out Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr.’s sermon, God’s Exchange Program.
