This
is Namma for Christ with the one hundred fifteenth inspirational message dated
Saturday, June 3rd, 2017. The title of
this message is, “Beauty for Ashes – Isaiah 61:1-3”. The words in the title of this message are
also the title of the above song/video entitled “Beauty For Ashes” as sung
by the Christian singer Crystal Lewis featuring Ron Kenoly. The scripture comes from the first three verses
of the 61st Chapter of the Old Testament book of Isaiah – as written by
prophet Isaiah (focusing on the 3rd verse):
Isaiah 61:1-3
New King James Version (NKJV)
61 “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;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 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.”
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;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 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.”
The below
excerpt was taken from the Internet via Sermon Central, entitled: “Beauty For
Ashes, Joy For Mourning, Praise For Heaviness” as contributed by Thomas
Dibble (on
May 22, 2003)
The Bible speaks of the Holy Ghost as being
the Comforter. Aren’t you glad for the Holy Spirit of the Lord? He is the Comforter.
In our scripture text it says that God
would appoint, or as the NKJV says, God would console those who mourn in Zion.
There is enough of God to comfort all who mourn around the world. But His word
specifically states those in Zion or those in God’s house are going to get
God’s attention.
God’s people who are in:
-
Calamity
-
Desolation
-
Crisis situation
-
Mourning
-
Trouble
-
Hard times
-
Difficult circumstances
God’s people will surely get His attention.
And if there is anybody who I want to have their attention – it’s God. I want
His eyes upon me. I want His ear tuned in to my cry. I want to be underneath
the umbrella of His protection. I want to live in the secret place of the Most
High and abide under His feathers and under His wings.
The Bible says that He will give us beauty
for ashes. In Bible times it was the custom for the people of that day to in
great times of mourning and difficulty to lay in ashes. Just think about that.
You’ve got a problem in your life and you just sit down in a pile of ashes.
There is nothing beautiful about ashes.
But the scripture says He is going to take
your difficult, disgusting, depressing and horrible situation and give you
beauty. He is going to pick you up out of the ash pile of life and make
something beautiful out of you.
The Hebrew word for ashes is "epher" and the
Hebrew word for beauty is "pheer". Just move the "e" and you have a new word. And
just as quickly as it takes for you to move one letter God is going to turn your
sorrow into joy. He speaks and it is already done.
You may feel like your life is ugly and
insignificant right now. But sometimes things that appear ugly just need the
right climate to grow. There is a species of century plant called the “Maguey”.
It grows for years with great course leaves as thick as two hands put together.
It’s three inches thick and very long. It puts out sharp thorns and it’s just
as ugly as can be. The longer it’s alive and the more it grows, it just gets
uglier all the time. But suddenly it shoots up in just a couple of days and a
great shaft tall and thick begins to grow. It decks it’s spreading head with
thousands of flowers and becomes a beautiful plant.
The possibility of all that fragrant beauty
was always in that detestable ugliness. Just as the fragrant beauty of your
life is sometimes hidden underneath the calloused ritual. It is smothered by
daily schedules and monotonous grind. Sometimes painful experiences cause
beauty to come forth.
Personally
speaking, I have experienced “beauty for ashes” in my life…as I’m sure so many
of you have, as well. As a result of
many of my most difficult circumstances - there has sprung up “blessings of beauty”, which
never could have been blossomed in any other way – unless from the “ashes”.
Recently, I
was watching a television show when a doctor stated that because of the unfortunate
miscarriage of his and his wife’s first baby – he became an OB/GYN trained
doctor so that he could help “safely” deliver future babies. This doctor was able to turn his own sad, “personal”
experience to “joyful experiences” for the families of the thousands of babies he successfully
delivered. God blessed him to turn the spirit of “heaviness”
(he had experienced at one time) to the
spirit of “joy”!
How has God
changed a situation for “you” around!
How has God given YOU “Beauty for Ashes”? How has God given you “peace”
for “despair” or "gladness for mourning"? God KNOWS your need, just believe what HE says!
Read the below
scripture to remind you – how God works ALL things together for GOOD!
Romans 8:28
New King James Version (NKJV)
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
God is concerned about “YOU”– He cares for you – read the below text from Isaiah 43:1-7 :
Isaiah 43
New King James Version (NKJV)
The Redeemer of Israel
43 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I gave Egypt for your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
4 Since you were precious in My sight,
You have been honored,
And I have loved you;
Therefore I will give men for you,
And people for your life.
5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east,
And gather you from the west;
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I gave Egypt for your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
4 Since you were precious in My sight,
You have been honored,
And I have loved you;
Therefore I will give men for you,
And people for your life.
5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east,
And gather you from the west;
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’
Bring My sons from afar,
And My daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 Everyone who is called by My name,
Whom I have created for My glory;
I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”
Bring My sons from afar,
And My daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 Everyone who is called by My name,
Whom I have created for My glory;
I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”
Please enjoy
the above song/video (with
lyrics) entitled “Beauty For Ashes” as sung by the Christian singer
Crystal Lewis featuring Ron Kenoly.
(I do not own the rights to this song.)
BE
BLESSED!
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