Beauty From Ashes

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6 July 2009 No Comment

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Isaiah 61:3
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.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

Brokenness Leads to Beauty

Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

I saw something the other day that amazed me. I was driving on the freeway and passed by a span of mountains that had been burned black by a fire awhile back. The trees looked barren and the branches held no leaves. But what amazed me was that the beauty of spring had touched this mountain and green grass was beginning to cover the blackness of the soil. The contrast of the black and the green was quite staggering and it really was a lovely site to see. It reminded me that the difficulties in life can often be like the fire that burned that mountain. Hardships can wipe us clean and make us barren but healing brings beauty and new growth.

Where does healing begin? It begins by trusting God. Jeremiah 17:7-8 says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream, and will not fear when the heat comes but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought not cease to yield fruit.”

This verse doesn’t say “if the heat comes” but “when the heat comes”. The heat is coming….we can’t escape hardship in our lives, but we can rise above the hardships by fixing our eyes on Jesus. Set your mind on things above. Don’t let the daily distractions upset your faith.

If you feel like that burned, barren mountain ask God to heal your heart. If you find yourself doubting Him, ask Him to give you faith to believe.

Check out Tears that Lead to Hope