God Turns Ashes to Beauty
Backgrounder on Isaiah 58-62:
Isaiah catches a glimpse of the
Glorious Future awaiting the people
of God. A day is coming when
darkness will be swept away,
affliction will cease and the
glad tidings of salvation shall
be proclaimed throughout Zion.
God has not forsaken His people
& groaning has given way to glory.
Lord, You Turn Mourning to Joy:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me…
to heal the brokenhearted…
to comfort all who mourn…
to give them Beauty for Ashes,
the oil of Joy for mourning,
the garment of praise for the
spirit of heaviness (Isa 61:1-3).
You will be called Ministers of God.
You shall eat riches of Gentiles &
everlasting joy shall be theirs(v6-7)
I am Overwhelmed With Joy
in the Lord my God! For He has
dressed me with the clothing of
salvation and draped me in a robe
of righteousness (v10). Amen.
Lord, I don’t know how much I must
have lost or the blessings I have
forfeited because I have lived
my way instead of Your way.
But I confess my sins of thought,
word and deeds to You now.
Grant me Lord beauty instead
of ashes, gladness instead of
mourning and a garment of
praise instead of despair. Amen.
Lord, I know being called to the
ministry and in fact we all are!
Help me to be an effective go-
between standing in the space
between You and a needy world.
Help me Lord to correctly do that
with loved ones, among friends,
in church and in the community.
Enable me to represent You well to
others & lift up others to You. Amen
Lord, grant me a glimpse of Your
presence which gives Fullness
of Joy. And reveal and show me
the power of proper perspective:
not be defeated but to overcome;
not be victimised but victorious.
Help me live life such that my mind
and attitude are impacted by You.
Clothe me in Joy and celebration
of what You’ve done in me. Amen.