“To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, 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
Lord God Almighty,
You tell us that all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16). In the Old Testament it is sometimes difficult to see . . . but there are those verses which become familiar, personal, and which give us strength and comfort. I thank You for this one in Isaiah Lord.
Isaiah was talking to those who mourned for Zion, who looked to You in their sinfulness and rebellion for help in the present and the future. For me it is also a wonderful glimpse of when a rebellious world would be offered another way to return to You, personally through Jesus Christ. The name above all names. He now comforts those who mourn at their sin. We can testify to that. He gives us the beauty of His forgiveness in the place of guilt and sin. We do not have to walk about in sackcloth and ashes and hope You forgive us. You do. Your indwelling love is present even when life is heavy. We can praise You because You are our shield, our glory and the lifter of our heads (Psalm 3;3).
We can, and want to be, like righteous trees planted, rooted and grounded in Christ (Ephesians 3:17 KJV). Beautiful in the glory of Christ. And showing Christ’s glory to the world by our witness of His love. Keep us growing whatever our situation. Help us bring forth good fruit and not become unforgiving, ungrateful or forgetting to praise You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Lord God Almighty,
For all our family, friends and neighbours. Thank You for every one of them. Bless them.
For our church fellowships, ministers, officials, congregations. Keep us loving all who come.
For young people who see impossible ideals of beauty and fashion on social media.
For King Charles, the Queen and the royal family as they seek to serve the nation.
For our government and their families. Amidst the many words and promises raise up good men and women to serve.
For Ukraine a withdrawal of Russian troops. Lead them to peace and end to oppression.
For all areas where there is war, military oppression and civil war. For peace and a new way forward. Gaza, Sudan, the Middle East, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria . . .
For Zion, for Jerusalem today, to find a way for peace with its neighbours.
For our local community neighbours, doctors, dentists, police and schools.
For trees, large and small, providing fruit, roosts and nest sites for mammals and birds.
For ourselves and our personal needs for today and to know we are planted safely in You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 10th January 2024
Scripture put to music. So I can recall it day or night.
He gave me beauty for ashes
The oil of joy for mourning
The garment of praise
For the spirit of heaviness
That we might be trees of righteousness
The planting of the Lord
That He might be glorified