Beauty For Ashes, God Doesn't Waste Our Pain

by Raymund Tamayo

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,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
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.
- Isaiah 61:1-3

Let's face it. 

Life isn't always happy.

There are tough, painful times. There are rock bottom times when only God really knows what's going on inside our hearts and minds.

WHERE WAS GOD?

We sometimes wonder where God was during those times.

But the truth is - He was always there with us.

 - When we lost our loved one and had to say goodbye too soon.

 - When we succumbed to a condition or disease and had to fight everyday through it.

 - When we had a great financial loss that affected our family.

 - When we felt betrayed or mistreated.

 - When we felt we were all alone.

Jesus was always there with us.

STORM-PROOF, NOT STORM-FREE

He did not promise a storm-free life. What He promised was a storm-proof one with Him always by our side.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."  Deuteronomy 31:6

Jesus tells us there will be troubles while we are here on earth. But we must be brave because He had overcome it for us.

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

BEAUTY FOR ASHES

During biblical times, people sit in ashes or cover themselves with ashes when grieving or repenting. Ashes meant pain, suffering, or loss, or repentance from one's sin.

Today, these things could also cross our paths. 

But God promised comfort to us who mourn, freedom to us who are captives, and healing to us who are broken hearted.

To give us a crown of beauty instead of ashes.

To not waste our pain and suffering, our grief and loss. To use them to bring glory and honor and power unto His name.  

TAKE COURAGE

Let us all take courage. As we face these uncertain times, as we fight our own hidden battles, let us not forget Who we are with.

Jesus has overcome and we are victorious because of Him ultimately.

I pray that God covers us with His peace, healing, strength, encouragement, and joy as we continue in boldly glorifying Him with our lives while here on earth.

The LORD of Hosts will do battle for us! Behold His mighty hand!