CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 834

“Garment of Praise

Isaiah 61:1-3 (ESV)  The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

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We are living in the ‘year of the Lord’s favor’ – The time between the first and second coming of Christ.  Jesus declared that He had fulfilled the first part of this prophecy in proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18-21)  The day of vengeance of our God will be fulfilled at His second coming.

Jesus was anointed by God to bring good news to the poor.  This is the Gospel message of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus presented to all of mankind who is afflicted by sin and without power to overcome the separation from God that sin brings.

He was sent by God to bind up the brokenhearted. He came to heal and bandage the hearts that are crushed and shattered under the weight of sin and trials in this world.  He brings hope to shipwrecked lives.

Jesus came to bring liberty and to release from captivity those who are bound up by sin.

… I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! – Romans 7:21

Jesus came to comfort those who mourn.  We mourn for more than the loss of a loved one.  We mourn for the loss of jobs, careers, health, homes, family relationships and friends. We mourn the loss of freedom and independence as we grow old and infirm.  We mourn the loss of mental faculties and strength of body.  Many of us are living under a dark cloud of sadness and depression because of our circumstances.  Our energy is sapped as we remain stooped over under the weight of a wet blanket burden of trials.  This is the image of the prodigal son returning to his father.

…the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’- Luke 15:22

This is the time of the Lord’s favor.  Will you allow Jesus to remove your burden and clothe you with the garment of praise?  Will you invite the Holy Spirit into your heart and allow Him to anoint you with the oil of gladness in spite of what your circumstances look and feel like?

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”- Matthew 11:28

Regardless of trial or circumstance may you celebrate this time of the Lord’s favor with praise and gladness of heart through Jesus Christ and to the glory of God our Father.