Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn 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.
Seven is the number of completion. I thought it good to complete this ashes series with this verse from Isaiah. My point being that the Lord might be glorified. We have explored God’s Word in Leviticus 6 and in that we have had some very fruitful discussion. To this end, to this completion, let the Lord be glorified.
I do not expect everyone to “get it”. I pray that everyone could receive something, no matter what it might be, from the Lord. While we all have different gifts and different training, and different needs, it is the same Lord which lives in each of His believers.
I love the transitional phrasing here in Isaiah 61:3. Beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, praise for heaviness where He takes and transform us from one state unto another. While the transformation is significant and life giving, it pales in comparison to the fact the Lord did it. Let Him be glorified.
Have you given your life to the Lord? If you have, you know in part. We know in part because transformation is transitional. We are not perfected in a moment. We will be perfected at completion, just not yet.
If you haven’t given your life to the Lord, I pray you will. This world has turned into a promise of instant gratification. How long did it last? Please do not tell me it is instant and therefor satisfying. Anything that comes instantly can disappear instantly. I call it fleeting. Always chasing and never coming to a lasting satisfaction.
Proverbs 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
The Lord is my satisfaction. He can be yours also.
What a sweet gospel message, Lar. A lovely and fitting way to conclude a fruitful series. I’ve been blessed by brother Ron’s and your exchanges. Y’all have presented to the world (via www.) some profound and precious truths. Blessings to you both, and thanks.
I add a hearty “AMEN”!! I am going to quote one of my favorite hymns….”Lord Jesus, I worship and bow at Your feet, and give You the glory, the honor that’s meet. While through Thee, oh Savior, my praises ascend, and join in that chorus that NEVER shall end.” This series on “ASHES” has deepened my love affair with Jesus…..thank you Lord Jesus and thank you dear brother, Larry. Thank you Fred for connecting me to Larry….you both are a rich blessing to me. My prayer for all your readers is that they will be encouraged to come to know Jesus and their lives will be enriched, both now and forever. Amen.