[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Beauty for ashes

Read: ISAIAH 61:1-7

Meditation verse:

“To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified” (Isaiah 61:3).

Beauty for ashes evokes a sense of restoration or comeback. It symbolises rising from destruction or desolation or receiving something good amid so much evil. It has been a year of hard pressing for many individuals, families. God’s promise and word of comfort comes to you today. If you have been locked up in a place of mourning, shame, guilt, despair, loss or whatever your ashes may be, it is time to rise in faith and take back what the enemy has stolen from you. You need to begin to rebuild the old ruins and repair the desolations. Wherever life has challenged you, God is saying to you, you do not have to remain sitting down, get up and begin to rebuild the old ruins, whatever that may represent in your life; whether the old ruins of your health, marriage, finances, business, family.

And after you have begun to rebuild, you shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame you shall have double honour, and instead of confusion you shall rejoice in your portion. In your land you shall possess double; and everlasting joy shall be yours. God has anointed you with the oil of joy. He has wrapped a garment of praise around you. Anointing breaks the yoke. Anointing restores order. Anointing brings deliverance. He has done His part; you need to do yours. Generations are counting on you; your rebuilding is for a generational turnaround. So, you cannot afford to remain in the place of desolation.

There is a well of endless possibilities waiting for you on the other side of life. Remove the chains of despair, fear, guilt, self-condemnation or whatever is holding you back. Shake away the ashes and take a step of faith, no matter how little. God can overwhelm you with new splendour. He can jumpstart your life again. And He will if you ask Him.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

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