Isaiah 61:1-3 - Set Free and Beauty for Ashes.
Isaiah 61:1-3: Set Free and Beauty for Ashes.
Isaiah 61:1-3 (NKJV) "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 (TLB) The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the suffering and
afflicted. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted, to announce liberty
to captives, and to open the eyes of the blind. He has sent me to
tell those who mourn that the time of Gods favor to them has come,
and the day of his wrath to their enemies. To all who mourn in
Israel he will give: Beauty for ashes; Joy instead of mourning; Praise
instead of heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and graceful
oaks for his own glory.
INTRODUCTION
The ministry of Messiah at His first coming is described in
verses 1-2a and at His second coming in verses 2b-3. In claiming to be
Messiah, Jesus Christ read in the synagogue only that which applied to
His ministry during His first coming (Luke 4:18-19). [Ryrie SB]
Jesus quoted these words in Luke 4:18-19 when he began his
public ministry. As he read to the people in the synagogue, he stopped
in the middle of Isaiah 61:2 after the words, "to proclaim the year
of the Lord's favor." Rolling up the scroll, he said, "Today this
scripture is fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:21). The next phrase in
Isaiah 61:2, "and the day of vengeance of our God," will come true when
Jesus returns to earth again. We are now under God's favor; his wrath
is yet to come. [The One Year Bible Companion]
COMMENTARY PEARLS
Set Free
I am writing in Namibia, Africa, while preparing to go to a
men's prison here. I intend to share with them that they can be in
prison and still be free, and that many people in the world, although
not in prison, are still prisoners.
I was a prisoner for much of my life because I was filled
with fear, guilt, shame, bitterness, and hatred, including
self-hatred. I didn't live behind iron bars, but I was definitely a prisoner
to those tormenting emotions. If you or someone you know is bound
by these things, you can be free. Jesus came to set us free and to
help us see and enjoy the new life He offers - a life that is
abundant and filled with great joy (see John 10:10).
I hope to encourage the men in prison today with the good
news of the Gospel. I also hope to encourage you to know that as you
continue in God's Word, you will know the truth and it will make you free
(see John 8:31-32). No matter what your circumstances are, if you are
free in your heart and mind, then you are free indeed! Examine what
is going on inside you and ask God to help you with any tormenting
emotion that is holding you captive. If you are brokenhearted due to
painful things in your past, Jesus will heal you and set you free!
Father, I thank You that Jesus came to make us free, and I do
want to be free in every area of my life. Please reveal areas that
You want to work in, and help me cooperate with the Holy Spirit as
He brings healing and freedom in my life. [My Time with God by
Joyce Meyer]
Beauty for Ashes
When we went on vacation this past summer, we spent a lot of
time in the desert. Being from the hills of Arkansas, with our house
perched above the Arkansas River, my kids found this to be a completely
new habitat. They collected different colors of sand in the Painted
Desert, petrified wood in the Petrified Forest, and all kinds of weird
rocks. But their greatest fascination was the cacti we saw everywhere,
of every shape and size.
My daughter Adelaide dug up a tiny one she found on the side
of the road and put it in a Solo cup, hoping to show her cousin
Sophia when we got home. A native Arizonan told her not to water it,
and she obeyed.
In the next few weeks of our journey, I noticed that the
cactus looked dead. It got gray hairs all over it, so thick that no
green showed through. One morning, I told Adelaide she needed to throw
it out. "Look, Mommy!' she said, pointing to what looked like horns
protruding from the top. "I think those might be blooms!
Sure enough, the next day, that gray cloud of cactus burst
into color with two gorgeous flowers. I could not believe my eyes.
"Told ya it wasn't dead." The cactus made it home.
For me, this little plant is a reminder of what Jesus does in
our lives. He brings good news when we're ready to give up and gives
us beauty for ashes. by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry
Faith Step: What in your life compares to that little cactus?
Place it in Jesus's hands and leave it there. He has a way of
resurrecting things. [Mornings With Jesus 2019 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
Grieving with Hope
God is constantly planting hope in us as we seek him,
rebuilding the ruins in our lives that may have come from generations of
messiness, restoring places long devastated. The times of pain are
inevitable, but hope is both constant and eternal.
Father, I know you are with me in all the difficult places in
my life. Thank you for the hope you are constantly using to
brighten my path. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily
Devotional by John & Johnny Baker]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
I am your best friend, as well as your King. Walk hand in
hand with Me through your life. Together we will face whatever each
day brings: pleasures, hardships, adventures, disappointments.
Nothing is wasted when it is shared with Me. I can bring beauty out of
the ashes of lost dreams. I can glean Joy out of sorrow, Peace out
of adversity. Only a Friend who is also the King of kings could
accomplish this divine alchemy. There is no other like Me!
The friendship I offer you is practical and down-to-earth,
yet it is saturated with heavenly Glory. Living in My Presence means
living in two realms simultaneously: the visible world and unseen,
eternal reality. I have equipped you to stay conscious of Me while
walking along dusty, earthbound paths. (John 15:13-15; Isaiah 61:3; 2
Corinthians 6:10) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
TESTIMONY
Let your light Shine through from me
Lonely hearts are seeking, they're searching everywhere.
They're longing for somebody, who'll reach out and share.
Souls that are crying, in their sea of tears.
Father, open up our ears.
Our world is filled with people, who think we just don't care.
They're hoping that somebody, will kneel with them in prayer.
Father, open our hearts and eyes and help us all to see.
Let your light shine through from me.
Help me be a witness to your saving power.
Let me share your love this hour.
Father take this heart of mine and use it Lord for thee.
To share your saving grace for all the world to see.
Help me take your message, of love at Calvary.
Let your light shine through from me.
Help me take your message of love at Calvary.
Let your light shine through from me.
Terry J. Gaburo 8/10/98
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20041101-1209.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or testimony on this
passage of Scripture, either personal or otherwise, I would be
interested in hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep uplifting
Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by Pastor John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
