Beauty for ashes

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” - Isaiah 6v3

This passage in Isaiah is directed primarily toward God’s promise of deliverance for Israel from her captivity, but like so many of this promises looks forward to the final deliverance that Messiah is going to provide. Jesus made that clear when He proclaimed this passage was taking about Him in Luke 4. Therefore, according to Ephesians 2, we too share in these promises.

In this present world we are often confronted with the ashes that come as a result of trials. There is often a spirit of mourning and heaviness as we deal with this sin cursed world and with our own flesh. God has a much better future for us. When Christ returns for us all of that will be changed. Our ashes will become beautiful, the oil of joy will replace our mourning, and our heaviness will be replaced with garments of joy as we, His “trees of righteousness,” glorify Him.

What a day that will be! Praise God that every day I can look forward to my ashes being turned to beauty”