During my day of debriefing and closing up the week. We meditated in Isaiah 61 that is a word that many used for themselves, which it is good, but it was so good to remember that this word was given for Jesus where it says:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes, the oil of joy
instead of mourning, and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
7 Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.
He gives instead of ashes (its is something that is destroyed) – crown of beauty (royalty, commission, to be appointed, elevates us, restoring dignity)
Instead of mourning (depression, grief) – oil of gladness (new life, hope, peace)
Instead of despair (most heavy emotions, not hope, not purpose, depression) – garment of praise (hope, joy)
I love closing today with communion and how His word becomes more and more alive each day, as a stop and meditate on what He says about Himself to restore areas to make me more who I am and how He created me to be. He is who brings life to who I am.
[Picture was taken in a butterfly santuary in UK]