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 61:3, NKJV)
The bag felt as though it weighed a hundred pounds. With all the things inside, I could barely lift it. I felt as though I was lifting a bag with rocks or logs When we're discouraged in our spirit, that's how we often feel. This verse tells us that the Lord will replace our spirit of heaviness with a garment of praise. Once I put the bag down, my hand felt much lighter. When we replace that heavy spirit with a garment of praise, we feel much lighter. Today ladies, what garment are you wearing? Let me encourage you, put on that much lighter garment . . . the garment of praise.
Father, thank you for this precious garment. When we wear it, nothing can stop us. We can praise You with all we've got and our circumstnaces may not go away, but they're much easier to bear. Thank You Lord.
Beautiful, Jamie. Garments of praise and robes of righteousness -- it's amazing the way He dresses us!
ReplyDeleteIt's such an act of faith to let the Lord do his work when we are feeling so weighed down. Thanks for the reminder, Jamie...
ReplyDeleteLovely post. As always. Love Isaiah 61.
ReplyDeleteWorry and/or depression can make us feel like we're carrying a load heavier than we can handle.
ReplyDeletePraying, praising God, and thinking on who He is, not only makes us feel better, but takes our focus off ourselves and our circumstances. It puts our focus back on him.
Such a great illustration. Simple, yet profound. Thanks Jamie girl. Love you!
ReplyDelete