PROMISE #170 - JUNE 19
Promise #170:
I will give you a garment of praise in exchange for your spirit of heaviness.
Isaiah 61:3 (WEB)
to appoint to those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland 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 Yahweh, that he may be glorified.
Isaiah 61 is filled with amazing promises from God that were fulfilled when Jesus came into the world two thousand years ago. Verse 3 alone contains at least four promises we could discuss all day! However, in this devotional, I will focus on the promise where God states that He will give us a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
Many of the translations I studied agree with the KJV that God promises a garment (or mantle) of praise for a spirit of heaviness (or despair, as in the NIV). The Amplified version describes the spirit of heaviness as 'a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit' that God wants to lift off of us.
We all feel discouraged and often despair. Some of us struggle with this more than others, as it is part of the human condition. I am grateful that modern medicine has allowed us to understand better the complexities surrounding depression. With the wisdom that God provides, there are many effective medical solutions to address these issues. We must be wise and continue to follow our doctor's advice if we are receiving treatment for such a condition.
But what about those times in life when a fearful or discouraging thought makes us feel heavy and burdened? What can we do to counter these negative thoughts that stem from the enemy of our soul? In today's promise, we read that God will give us a garment of praise in exchange for our spirit of heaviness.
I am not sure how it works for others, but for me, when I take my eyes off my circumstances and begin to praise God, I seem to gain a new perspective on things. Suddenly, my gaze shifts upward rather than inward, and my outlook on the problem begins to change.
My prayer today is that we all recognize the vastness and majesty of our God and Father. I pray that we all gain a supernatural perspective from heaven itself, resulting in God clothing us with a garment of praise in exchange for a spirit of heaviness.
***
I will give you a garment of praise in exchange for your spirit of heaviness.
Isaiah 61:3 (WEB)
to appoint to those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland 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 Yahweh, that he may be glorified.
Isaiah 61 is filled with amazing promises from God that were fulfilled when Jesus came into the world two thousand years ago. Verse 3 alone contains at least four promises we could discuss all day! However, in this devotional, I will focus on the promise where God states that He will give us a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
Many of the translations I studied agree with the KJV that God promises a garment (or mantle) of praise for a spirit of heaviness (or despair, as in the NIV). The Amplified version describes the spirit of heaviness as 'a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit' that God wants to lift off of us.
We all feel discouraged and often despair. Some of us struggle with this more than others, as it is part of the human condition. I am grateful that modern medicine has allowed us to understand better the complexities surrounding depression. With the wisdom that God provides, there are many effective medical solutions to address these issues. We must be wise and continue to follow our doctor's advice if we are receiving treatment for such a condition.
But what about those times in life when a fearful or discouraging thought makes us feel heavy and burdened? What can we do to counter these negative thoughts that stem from the enemy of our soul? In today's promise, we read that God will give us a garment of praise in exchange for our spirit of heaviness.
I am not sure how it works for others, but for me, when I take my eyes off my circumstances and begin to praise God, I seem to gain a new perspective on things. Suddenly, my gaze shifts upward rather than inward, and my outlook on the problem begins to change.
My prayer today is that we all recognize the vastness and majesty of our God and Father. I pray that we all gain a supernatural perspective from heaven itself, resulting in God clothing us with a garment of praise in exchange for a spirit of heaviness.
***