Grace to Accept Good News

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, 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 61:1-3

In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus quoted the first part of the above passage as being fulfilled in Him. Jesus Christ declares good news.

Are we ready for good news? If not, Jesus takes care of reasons we might have for rejecting it. Are we brokenhearted? Jesus heals our hearts. Are we captive, imprisoned or bound by something? What is holding us back? Jesus sets us free! He comforts and consoles us. Jesus is the Prince of Peace who gives peace that passes all understanding. His Spirit is the Wonderful Counselor. If all of the above were not enough, He gives us the exact opposite of the negatives that have been coming our way: beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning, garment of praise for spirit of heaviness. Then, what happens? We stand tall and strong like a tree and bring forth righteousness and glory to God!

“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. Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the foreigner shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But you shall be named the priests of the Lord, they shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore, in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be theirs. For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth and will make with them an everlasting covenant. Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the posterity whom the Lord has blessed.” Isaiah 61:1-9

Rebuilding and repairing ruined cities that have been desolate for many generations is a daunting task, but not if the Lord has given the mindset and the resources to do it. This is not just about real estate development. It is about creating a place for people, flocks and vineyards to enjoy communion with God. The people are priests and servants of God. God gives them double honor. They have everlasting joy. Justice and truth exist in this new city. The people are in a covenant relationship with God. They and their descendants are blessed.

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” Isaiah 61:10-11

As sure as plants grow in a garden, God brings forth righteousness and praise in those who abide in Him. He clothes us with garments of salvation. The clothes He speaks of are the righteous merits of Christ. He wraps those merits around us and sees us as holy as He is holy.

“You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” Isaiah 62:3-5

A crown shines! A royal diadem is commonly called a tiara nowadays. Why do we ever cease to imagine ourselves as princes and princesses? This means you are precious and your presence yields to God glory. You are not forsaken or desolate! You are beautiful and a delight to God! In Revelation 21:2, the redeemed are the bride prepared for her husband. This is a metaphor for someone who is greatly honored and valued in a public ceremony. The Lord is saying that we who believe in Him shall be greatly honored and loved by Him when we meet Him.

“They shall call them the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you shall be called Sought Out, a City Not Forsaken.” Isaiah 62:12

Praise the Lord!