From Mourning to Rejoicing

The spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has chosen me. He has commissioned me to encourage the poor, to help the brokenhearted, to decree the release of captives, and the freeing of prisoners, to announce the year when the Lord will show His favour, the day when our God will seek vengeance, to console all who mourn, to strengthen those who mourn, by giving them a hope, instead of ashes, oil symbolizing joy, instead of mourning, a garment symbolizing praise, instead of discouragement.  They will be called oaks of righteousness, trees planted by the Lord to reveal His splendor. They will rebuild the perpetual ruins and restore the places that were desolate; they will reestablish the ruined cities, the places that have been desolate since ancient times. Isaiah 61:1-6 NET

To transform from mourning to rejoicing is a huge shift – emotionally, physically, psychologically. Yet, the prophet Isaiah calls the people to this very transformation. Why? Because God is doing a new thing ALWAYS. They will not be bound to their old situation. He will exchange their despair for praise. His chosen people stand tall because the promises of our Heavenly Father that held true yesterday, are the same today and tomorrow. God will use our lives to bring others to Him, teaching them how to abide in Christ, so they, too, can become disciples. This is GOOD NEWS for each of us who is discouraged, unfulfilled, searching, confused, broken, uninformed. As we are faithful to continue making disciples, we are in partnership with the Holy Spirit because we are simply doing what God told us to do. We are sharing the Good News about Him and His desire for a relationship with us. God anoints those who walk in obedience to His Word. {tweetme}We are not all called to the same task, but we are ALL, as believers, called to bring the Good News to the poor.{/tweetme} If we are abiding in relationship with Christ as a Disciple, are we telling others about it? I believe we have a calling, a demand from God, to do so and the power of the Holy Spirit is with us as we step forward into that call. Let us this very day take action and share the Good News of the Gospel!