He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair
When sorrow seems to surround you
When suffering hangs hangs heavy o’er your head
Know that tomorrow brings wholeness and healing
God knows your need, just believe what He said
When what you’ve done keeps you from moving on
When fear wants to make itself at home in your heart
Know that forgiveness brings wholeness and healing
God knows your need just believe what He said
I once was lost but God has found me
Though I was bound I’ve been set free
I’ve been made righteous in His sight
A display of His splendor all can see
Written by Randy Scruggs, John Thompson
Performed by Crystal Lewis, Ron Kenoly
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The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To bring good news to the poor;
He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the year of the Lord‘s favor,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn;
To grant to those who mourn in Zion—
To give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
That they may be called oaks of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV
What a beautiful song, based on the Word of God. Jesus came into this world to save us, not to condemn us. He came to deliver us from man made rules, our shortcomings and the self inflicted guilt and shame.
God sent His Son to live among us. To be seen, heard, and to teach about His Father’s great love and compassion for us. We are created to have a close friendship with God. God wants to be our everything. He wants to be the first one we think about running to with good news and bad…not the third or fourth person.
God will take care of those who would cause us harm, those who speak or think ill of us. God wants to bless us. But we have to be smart enough to surround ourselves with those who believe as we do—those who study God’s Word and do what He directs us to do.
God will give us the courage to embrace the role we were designed to live. He will give us the courage and the knowledge to speak when we need to, to be silent when necessary, and to reach out for help. God is in control.
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Father, thank You for Your words. Thank You for the prophets, thank You for Your people. Without them we would not have a Bible, we would not have a Savior who came down from His throne in heaven to be with us on earth. Thank You for loving us enough to be included as one of Your children. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, amen!!!
