Stand firm on God’s promises – 17 November 2009

“To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for  uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. 
Isaiah 61 v 3-4, [Amplified Bible]

The Bible promises that God will give us beauty for ashes.  It was the custom of that day in great times of mourning or difficulty to lay in ashes and there is nothing beautiful about ashes.

However, God will take our difficult, disgusting, depressing and horrible situation and give us beauty for ashes, joy for sorrow.  God knew we would be burnt by life’s experiences, but he also knew he could replace that burnt out mess with something beautiful.  In order for us to fully experience the joy, praise, honour, and beauty; we need to give to the Lord our shame, guilt, ashes, mourning and heaviness.  We cannot experience all that the Lord has for us and still carry around with us all of our junk!  We need to give it up.

When I last wrote these devotionals in the Spring my theme was “Cracked Pots” I was in a difficult and lonely place on my spiritual journey, however, one day at a time, I continued to hold on to a promise God gave me several years ago, and a more recent revelation that this would be my year of Joy...... so where was it? I was reminded by someone during prayer ministry when I felt my rivers of joy had dried up, that it was only Spring and the year was not yet over, however I had waited many years and I wanted it now, I even doubted it would come at all despite Gods promise to me.  A failing spirit dims our vision and robs our hope, it brings an oppressive feeling and quenches our faith, it may isolate us, steal our love and make us feel alone. 

Friends, don’t give the enemy a foothold, stand firm on God’s promises and praise God for what he is doing and what he will do in your life.  Don’t wait for the storm to pass, learn to dance in the rain!

Back in the Spring I could not foresee the Summer that was in store for me, not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined how the seasons of my life would change so quickly “To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

One day at a time make a choice to stand on the promises of God, don’t be deceived by the lies of the enemy and don’t lose heart - God is faithful to his promises, in his perfect timing, not ours.  Trust the master builder, he knows the blueprint for your life, Noah built the Ark, he followed God’s instruction and it floated, men in their own wisdom and ability built the Titanic.... it did not float!  God wants your boat to float, to give beauty for ashes, strength for fear, joy for sorrow and praise for despair, that you may be planted in His righteousness.  Why?........that He may be glorified!

Lord, in all circumstances, teach me to dance to the beat of your heart.