Shake of the Ashes

“And provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor”. Isaiah 61:3

The Jewish people were battered, bruised, and broken as they endured life in the land of Babylon. God authorized the prophet Isaiah and directed him to proclaim liberty to the Jews in Babylon; to assure them that the day is coming when they will rise and their experiences will all be changed. Everything will turn upside down. The same people who are in bondage, grief and shame will be called the “oaks of righteousness”. They will become a symbol, a standard of the Lord for the display of his splendor”. In them the sheer beauty and goodness of God will be on display.

Right now you might be feeling overwhelmed with issues associated with your work;  or issues in your family; or issues with your finances; and personal pressures. You may feel like you are under ashes and you are gasping for fresh air. Ashes can be that devastating experience you recently had in your family that has left you drained and hurting. Yes! You are smiling and going about your regular activities but you are in

ashes. Guess what! I am reminded that ashes come after the fire has done its work. So, guess again! The worst, the real heat, the fire in your life has past. God in Christ has taken care of it and all that is left now is ashes.

You can also see the ashes in faith.  So yes! The date for paying the bills is drawing closer and you cannot see how you are going to honour your obligations. The money is not available. You do not know how or when, but faith in Almighty God says “it will be paid”. So even as the bill is still to be paid your faith in God helps you to look beyond the present reality and grasp what is yet to be. You live and move with the confidence that the bill that is not yet paid will be paid in Jesus’ name.   

Be a plant to display the splendor of God. Be the instrument that God will use to exhibit God’s power and love, by shaking off the past of self-doubt, of self-pity, fear, hopelessness, disappointment and frustration.  You have your particular fire in life and the ash is real. Do not allow them to bury you. Rise up and shake off the ashes and allow God to display Divine beauty in and through you. 

THOUGHT:                          Ashes come after the burning

PRAYER FOCUS:               For those who are experiences the burning