From Ashes to Beauty
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:1-3a
While Lent begins in the ashes and dust, it ends in resurrection. The Lenten season signifies Jesus’ 40 days in the desert where He was led by the Holy Spirit to prepare Him for His spiritual journey. You and I have also been led into the desert by the Holy Spirit. God has placed a seed of restoration hope in our hearts and is preparing us in the desert. We may be cut off from family, church or friends who do not understand or condone our stand. We may be struggling with disobedient children, health issues, financial crises or emotional roller coasters. We may be battling our own demons of guilt, anger, unforgiveness or jealousy. Whatever desert we are in, Jesus is there with us. And He gives us instruction for our preparation time.
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’†Matthew 4:4
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’†Matthew 4:7
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’†Matthew 4:10
It is in our desert where Jesus does His best work and where we feel His presence so strongly. It is in our desert where we learn about the faithfulness, compassion and love that Jesus wants to pour into our hearts. It is in our desert where we come to know our Savior like never before. Jesus knows what it is like in the desert. And He goes ahead of us there, preparing hearts, opening doors, mending relationships, and removing obstacles.
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:5-6 (NLT)
The Egyptians and Greeks during the Old Testament time believed in the myth of the Phoenix. This was a bird said to build a nest when it was old and set it on fire. Then the Phoenix would rise from the ashes in victory. The early Christians used this symbol to signify Christ’s resurrection, rising in victory over sin and death. Jesus wants us to know that our marriages and families can also rise from the ashes. He wants us to believe for a new marriage, a new family, built on the solid rock of His Word, serving and living for Christ. He wants us to know that He can bring beauty out of ashes.
Traditionally in the Bible, ashes signify repentance and mourning. Esther and Mordecai donned ashes and sackcloth when they learned of the decree against the Jews. Job lay in the ashes and dust after Satan was allowed to take all that he had. Daniel pleaded with the Lord for his people in sackcloth and ashes. But what began in the ashes, ended in glory. Esther and Mordecai saved the Jewish nation during the reign of King Xerxes. Job’s fortunes were restored and the Lord blessed the latter part of his life even more than the first. Daniel emerged from the lion’s den without a scratch on him.
Are you dwelling in the ashes and dust right now? Do you feel like Job when he said in Job 30:19, “He throws me into the mud, and I am reduced to dust and ashes.†Are you in a desert place? Count it all joy because that means that God is preparing you. He is getting you ready to step into your blessings. He is working on your heart and the heart of the one you pray for to bring about His good and grand and glorious plan to resurrect your marriage and your family. All He asks is that you pick up your cross and follow him.
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.†Luke 9:23
So as you set out on this spiritual journey, or for many of us continue this spiritual journey, remember that God can bring beauty out of ashes. He can change hearts and change lives. He can take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it around for good. Use this Lenten season to focus on prayer and preparation to celebrate the grace of God who gave us His Son so that we may have hope.
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.†Psalm 43:5
Anticipating for the beauty in Nebraska,
Kim
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:1-3a
While Lent begins in the ashes and dust, it ends in resurrection. The Lenten season signifies Jesus’ 40 days in the desert where He was led by the Holy Spirit to prepare Him for His spiritual journey. You and I have also been led into the desert by the Holy Spirit. God has placed a seed of restoration hope in our hearts and is preparing us in the desert. We may be cut off from family, church or friends who do not understand or condone our stand. We may be struggling with disobedient children, health issues, financial crises or emotional roller coasters. We may be battling our own demons of guilt, anger, unforgiveness or jealousy. Whatever desert we are in, Jesus is there with us. And He gives us instruction for our preparation time.
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’†Matthew 4:4
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’†Matthew 4:7
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’†Matthew 4:10
It is in our desert where Jesus does His best work and where we feel His presence so strongly. It is in our desert where we learn about the faithfulness, compassion and love that Jesus wants to pour into our hearts. It is in our desert where we come to know our Savior like never before. Jesus knows what it is like in the desert. And He goes ahead of us there, preparing hearts, opening doors, mending relationships, and removing obstacles.
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:5-6 (NLT)
The Egyptians and Greeks during the Old Testament time believed in the myth of the Phoenix. This was a bird said to build a nest when it was old and set it on fire. Then the Phoenix would rise from the ashes in victory. The early Christians used this symbol to signify Christ’s resurrection, rising in victory over sin and death. Jesus wants us to know that our marriages and families can also rise from the ashes. He wants us to believe for a new marriage, a new family, built on the solid rock of His Word, serving and living for Christ. He wants us to know that He can bring beauty out of ashes.
Traditionally in the Bible, ashes signify repentance and mourning. Esther and Mordecai donned ashes and sackcloth when they learned of the decree against the Jews. Job lay in the ashes and dust after Satan was allowed to take all that he had. Daniel pleaded with the Lord for his people in sackcloth and ashes. But what began in the ashes, ended in glory. Esther and Mordecai saved the Jewish nation during the reign of King Xerxes. Job’s fortunes were restored and the Lord blessed the latter part of his life even more than the first. Daniel emerged from the lion’s den without a scratch on him.
Are you dwelling in the ashes and dust right now? Do you feel like Job when he said in Job 30:19, “He throws me into the mud, and I am reduced to dust and ashes.†Are you in a desert place? Count it all joy because that means that God is preparing you. He is getting you ready to step into your blessings. He is working on your heart and the heart of the one you pray for to bring about His good and grand and glorious plan to resurrect your marriage and your family. All He asks is that you pick up your cross and follow him.
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.†Luke 9:23
So as you set out on this spiritual journey, or for many of us continue this spiritual journey, remember that God can bring beauty out of ashes. He can change hearts and change lives. He can take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it around for good. Use this Lenten season to focus on prayer and preparation to celebrate the grace of God who gave us His Son so that we may have hope.
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.†Psalm 43:5
Anticipating for the beauty in Nebraska,
Kim
Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
