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 symbolizes rising from destruction or desolation or receiving something good amid evil. This is God’s promise to you in this new month. He is giving you the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. He is doing this so that you may be called a tree of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, and that His name may be glorified.

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. There is work for you to do. The next verse says, “And they shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations” (Isaiah 61:4). God has anointed you with the oil of joy. He has wrapped a garment of praise around you. He has done His part; you need to do yours. Generations are counting on you; you cannot afford to remain in the place of desolation.

Get up and open your life to new opportunities and relationships. 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. You do not need to keep sitting down on the ruins of your ashes heap. God has already given you beauty for ashes. In Jesus name, rise up and go!

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Oke Chinye.
Have you asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart?

He says in Mathew 11:28, “come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He longs to give you rest."

Would you like to do so now? Here’s a prayer you can say:
Dear Jesus, I believe that You died to save me from all my sins. Today, I invite you into my heart and I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive all my sins and help me to live my life for You.

If you prayed this prayer, send me an email at rockteachingministry@gmail.com

I would love to pray with you personally and send you a copy of my book; ‘Living the Life’ to encourage you as you begin your new life in Christ.