Renewing our Mind to Receive God's Promises: Beauty for Ashes!
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Isaiah 61:3 (KJV 1900)
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.
God has a Mission to restore, renew, and redeem mankind. The purpose of the message to help us to know and receive God’s mission to restore back to original Kingdom plan.
Isaiah is prophesying to a people that are under a Babylonia exiles, a people that lost their nation, their wealth, their children and their dignity.
Isaiah is sharing the assignment, the job description, the mission that Jesus was only equipped to fulfill.
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
As we continue the renewing the mind series today we will focus our mind on receiving the promises of God. 2 Peter 1:3-4
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
The Purpose of this Message is to impart a revelation of the promise of what is meant by the phase, he gives us Beauty for Ashes.
What Is the Context of Isaiah 61:3 and 'Beauty for Ashes'?
What Is the Context of Isaiah 61:3 and 'Beauty for Ashes'?
Isaiah was a prophet who delivered poignant messages to the Jewish people. In his writings, he starts with the topic of judgement. Isaiah tells the people that God will pour out judgement and justice to His chosen people.
Historically, the Israelite people have been involved in many battles. They had been captives of enemy groups such as the Assyrians and Babylonians. Kings such as Jehoshaphat, Uzziah, and Hezekiah were vital to the delayed capture of Judah by the more merciful Babylonians.
The light of this book is when Isaiah reminds the Jews that even though God will judge the people, he will also pour out His love and favor for them. This theme of judgement, repentance, and forgiveness has been happening since the Israelites entered the wilderness.
When we look at our verse in question, we need to take a moment and discuss what verses one and two mean. In verse one, Isaiah says “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me.” This is a reference to the Christ that was to come. Jesus uses these verses to refer to himself while on earth.
Let define the term Ashes:
First what is meant by Beauty and Ashes in the context of this Scripture and how could it be applied to everyday on earth and eternity.
Ashes (e per) the residue that remain after something is burnt
Ashes can represent the condition we are are when trouble hit our life, when sorrow comes, and disappointment .
The Israelites often uses ashes to represent a time a grief.
What Does 'Beauty for Ashes' Mean for us today.
What Does 'Beauty for Ashes' Mean for us today.
Isaiah 61:3 is a beautiful picture of what Christ can do for the mourning people of Israel and the ones hurting today. When we examine the verse, we learn that Christ is the joy-giver.
God Promises give us deep joy.
He gives a joy that extends beyond the surface. Christ releases us from the bondage that sorrow brings.
Our sorrows can leave us feeling defeated. Also there are people that have it all when it come to natural things but still feel defeated.
When we fully give ourselves over to God, our view of the life, trouble, and sorrow of life changes.
God’s promises can help change the way we see things (Open our eyes) ( Helps us to walk by faith not by sight)
The circumstances may remain the same, but we change the glass we look through.
It is possible to live while the storm rages, but God remains the calm in the storm. He gives us sources of joy to get us through.
Everything we go through in this life contributes to the end when we spend eternity in heaven.
The phrases in Isaiah 61:3 make the meaning of this verse even more powerful. When Isaiah writes the words “beauty for ashes,” he uses Hebrew language that cannot be translated into English.
Define the term Beauty
The Hebrew word for beauty used here refers to a headdress, turban, or tiara. God is stating that he is going to wipe out the ashes upon your head and replace it with a beautiful headdress.
What Does Beauty for Ashes Mean for Us When We Experience Suffering or Mourning?
What Does Beauty for Ashes Mean for Us When We Experience Suffering or Mourning?
Inevitably, we are going to experience suffering and mourning in our lives. When we lose loved ones, or our jobs, or even our identity in Christ, we can rest assured that God will come alongside us with his love and comfort.
I believe this verse gives us hope, too. It is a beautiful reminder that God can take what we believe to be the worst of circumstances and turn it into something great.
We have hope for coming out on the other side of sorrow with shouts of praise for our Lord.
If we can accept our grief, then we can overcome our grief. We can carry our sorrows to the sanctuary at the foot of the cross and leave them there.
When we do that, we can walk away with shouts of praise for the one true God.
We can put on our new headdress and bright colored garments for all to see what God has done for us and what he can do for them.
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
(KJV 1900)
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
(KJV 1900)
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;