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Beauty For Ashes


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;

3 To 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.

Isaiah 61:1-3

Life is hard. It is infinitely harder when I add to it my own mistakes and weaknesses. Things I want turn out poorly, in spite of my best efforts or desires. And I hurt people I love with all my heart, giving lie to that love, making it seem cheap or fickle or facile.

Sometimes I am my own worst critic. The Lord promises to forgive and not remember my sins, but I do. I am troubled by the sins which so easily beset me.

And yet...

Beauty for ashes.

What Christ does is reach into my despair and lift me. He saves me. His peace shines like the very sun, and all I have to do is look. Just that. Look. And like the brass serpent, I will live by looking to Him.

He changes what is in my life through His mercy and grace, which is sufficient. All-sufficient.

He alone knows what is in my heart. He alone knows how to bless and succor. And He alone never leaves me. Never. Leaves. Me.

And that is enough. Because I can do all things through Him and His strength.

I weep tears of gratitude and joy. He loves me. Even me.

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