Isaiah 61:3 ~ 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.”
Life is a continuous exchange of one thing for another. For example,
– We are paid a salary from our place of employment for our time and skill set.
– We breath in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide.
– Plants breath in carbon dioxide and breath out oxygen.
– We go shopping and buy goods and pay the supplier using money as an exchange.
The list continues. Isaiah 61:3 says that God gives beauty for ashes. Jesus came to give freedom to those who are captives, captives in whatever negative state we find ourselves. He also came to give sight to those who are blind whether spiritually or physically. This is the divine exchange. Jesus came to give you an abundant and fulfilled life in exchange for your hurts. When you ask him into your situation he will give you wisdom and understanding to walk though it and he will also lift the sting of the situation. He takes pain and brings healing, He takes sadness and bring joy and he takes shame and brings acceptance.
Please do not misunderstand me our circumstances may not change instantly or in a day, weeks or months, but with the exchange comes a new perspective and all that we face on a daily basis. Life is not perfect and no human being is perfect but we can live each day with a heart of love, appreciation and thanksgiving. The divine exchange gives you a new pair of glasses on life and this enables you to see things more clearly.
Take a moment and think about the things in your life that you would like God to give you new insight on, be honest and just speak to him from your heart with no pretence.
My prayer for you ~ Lord Jesus I pray for the person reading this prayer. Give them beauty and healing in the areas of their life that is hurting. Pour on them your oil of joy and reveal yourself to them in a meaning way, personal to their present need. in Jesus name, Amen.