Beautiful promises
The Bible promises that God will give us beauty for ashes. It was the custom of that day in great times of mourning or difficulty to lay in ashes and there is nothing beautiful about ashes. However, God promises "To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion–to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit" Isaiah 61: 3 [Amplified Bible]
God will take our difficult, disgusting, depressing and horrible situation and give us beauty for ashes, joy for sorrow. God knew we would be burnt by life's experiences, but he also knew he could replace that burnt out mess with something beautiful. In order for us to fully experience the joy, praise, honour, and beauty; we need to give to the Lord our shame, guilt, ashes, mourning and heaviness. A failing spirit dims our vision and robs our hope, it brings an oppressive feeling and quenches our faith, it may isolate us, steal our love and make us feel alone.
One day at a time make a choice to stand on the promises of God, don't be deceived by the lies of the enemy and don't lose heart – God is faithful to his promises, in his perfect timing, not ours. Trust the master builder, he knows the blueprint for your life, Noah built the Ark, he followed God's instruction and it floated, men in their own wisdom and ability built the Titanic…. it did not float! God wants your boat to float, to give beauty for ashes, strength for fear, joy for sorrow and praise for despair, that you may be planted in His righteousness. Why?……..that He may be glorified!
Dawn Milward
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