Isaiah 61:1-3 (KJV) 1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3To 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.
This passage reveals to us the ministry and work of Jesus Christ. By this scripture we see that to them that mourns…., Jesus can give ‘Beauty for Ashes.’ Ashes is the powdery residue left after burning a substance. Ashes is something that is irreversible in processing. To make ashes to become the original substance it was before is impossible. Practically impossible. There are some things man cannot just do. To undo what has already been done is equally impossible for man. Let the whole resources of the wisdom of men be put together, they might try but they cannot reverse ashes back to the original item it came from.
Look at what Proverbs 30:4 says Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell? Who is the man who can gather the wind in his fists? Who can bound the waters in a garment? Who can reverse back ashes to become what it was originally or even better? No man but only God. Job said God can do all things…. (Job 42:2a). Matthew 19:26 (KJV) But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Luke 1:37 (KJV) For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Even though ashes could represent hopeless situations in people’s lives, we have a God who through His Son, Jesus, can give beauty for ashes. What is it that God cannot do in your life? God can give beauty for your ashes. That ugly situation God can turn it around; that situation that seems life-threatening, life and glory can become of it. That will be your testimony in Jesus name. Genesis 18:14 says…Is any thing too hard for the LORD?
Prayers
1. Lord Jesus, begin afresh in my life.
2. Merciful Jesus, appear in my hopelessness and give me hope.
3. Merciful Jesus, give beauty for my ashes.
4. My tears and pains, hear the Word of the Lord, an end has come to you, in the name of Jesus.
5. Powers that brought my case to this point, fall down and die, in the name of Jesus.