Isaiah 61:1-3

Written May 2000


Isaiah 61:1-3

In Isaiah 61 :1-3, Christ speaks…the spirit of the Lord God is upon me…

2b To comfort all that mourn;

LORD, You know what I am mourning about today. It is our secret, LORD, and my heart is heavy.

"…the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21),

I say. See my hurt, LORD, and turn it into "fasting" – a fasting for those I love. Answer the prayer that has long been upon my heart…and my new prayer, too. You know the one.

3a To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,

The word "appoint" can mean "ordain..purpose". Yes, LORD, You have ordained that I , a child of Zion, should cry today. There is PURPOSE, though. There is reason for my sorrow. Surely You will turn it into BEAUTY as the next phrase declares.

3b to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

Yes, LORD, take my ASHES here and transform them into BEAUTY!

"ASHES…MOURNING…SPIRIT OF HEAVINESS" – a DYING TO SELF. This is hard!

"IT IS THE LORD: LET HIM DO WHAT SEEMETH HIM GOOD." (I Sam. 3:18)

LORD,…today, even now, YOU shall clothe me with BEAUTY, JOY, and PRAISE!

The ashes on my head shall be turned into a beautiful headdress of BEAUTY, as the original denotes. You shall cause my face to shine with the oil and perfume of JOY, and my dress shall be that of PRAISE. May Your SPIRIT come upon me!

3c That they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

Yes, and when You bless me with beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, I shall be called a "tree of righteousness" and bring glory to Your name.

"Herein (are You) glorified, that (I) bear much fruit…" (Jn. 15:8)

"Except a corn of wheat" (or a tree seed) "fall into the ground and DIE, it abideth alone: but if it DIE, it bringeth forth much fruit." (Jn. 12:24)

YOU planted me, LORD! I did not plant myself. Salvation is of the LORD!

Now...plow me under, LORD! Make my roots go deep! May I joy in pain and sorrow! May I joy in SELF-DENIAL! Make me a "tree of righteousness" and BRING GLORY TO YOUR NAME! Amen!