Beauty Instead of Ashes

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."

I have seen this verse literally happening in the last month. The fire at Works was 26 days ago. Since then ten of the fire victims have come forward to receive Jesus into their lives at Sunday services. Others in private conversations. Even more are now attending church for the first time and learning of God's great love for them through His Son.

The ashes of their burnt homes are only a memory. New buildings have been constructed. But the joy in the church is from the lives that God is rebuilding. He has shown Himself as the provider for those who could not care for their families. People are no longer asking "Where is God in my despair?" They are seeing Jesus work in ways they did not expect. They have peace that was not theirs before. A hope that will last for all eternity. Gladness instead of mourning.

And I have new brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray that the witness from the fire doesn't stop now that the construction has finished. I pray this is a new beginning for our neighborhood. I pray that God continues to change these hard hearts of ours. Not the hearts of the new believers but the hearts of all us church goers who for so long have kept quiet while people around us were longing for the answer to the question of life. Who loves or cares for us? The answer is "Jesus cares! Jesus loves us!"

The garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair is put on with the blood of Jesus. When we are washed clean in His blood "Behold, I make all things new" is
now reality. If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The old has gone the new has come.