Isaiah 61:1-11
Monday, 06 November 2023
“…That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” – Isaiah 61: 3
Man was created for the glory and honour of God- to reveal His splendor. In fact the glory of God covered him but he lost it when sin marred him. Romans 3: 23 rightly says of all humankind today—“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” After the fall of man, he began to think of his glory- of making his name great (cf. Genesis 11).
How can man be restored to his original purpose?
Thank God for Jesus Christ! When He began His earthly ministry as we read in Luke 4, He highlights His work that would be accomplished on the earth. This portion was prophesied centuries ago by the prophet Isaiah now fulfilled in Christ resulting in life-changing work in us— Jew or Gentile, all who come to Him— He will transform us for His Glory!
Today’s reading tells us the marvellous work of Christ wrought in every believer’s life, that seeing our good deeds others would glorify our Father in heaven. (cf. Matthew 5:16)
A Personal Transformation: Vs 10 says “He has clothed us in garments of salvation and robes of righteousness.” –This was the first work done in us. What we couldn’t do in our own strength God did by sending His Son to condemn sin in us and save us from eternal destruction (Romans 8:3).
Once He saved us, He loaded us with benefits that removed every past wrong and began a beautiful day in each of our lives: [vs 1-3]
· He healed our broken hearts by carrying our sin and our sorrows upon Himself (Matt 8:17)
· He delivered us from captivity and gave us liberty by bringing us out of the Kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of His Son in whom there is redemption and forgiveness of sin. (Col. 1:13&14)
· He announced the year of grace and postponement of judgment by giving full amnesty to our rebellious hearts.
· He comforted and consoled us by giving us ‘The Comforter and Our Counselor -the Holy Spirit’ (John 14) to walk alongside us on this earthly journey.
· He gave us beauty, joy and praise in the place of ashes, mourning and heaviness by transforming our ruined lives into glorious, fruitful trees planted in this world as reflectors of His Glory.
A Ministerial Transformation: Once God saves us, He raises us up to become priests and servants for Him in His kingdom. This new ministry that was once exclusively held by the tribe of Levi is now entrusted to us, the transformed.
As the priests in the Kingdom of God we are called to perform 3 duties to declare to the world that worship of God is a lifestyle that displays His Glory.
1. Rebuild (vs4) – The church will be built up by people who will worship Him in truth and spirit and not by activities and traditions.
2. Raise (vs4) – The church will raise up a godly generation holding godly standards of holiness within the church that will reflect the perfect nature of God.
3. Repair (vs4) – The church will be a place where the broken will be made whole as they hear the message of the power of the gospel and the grace of Christ.
All this will indicate the transforming work in of God in our lives through which He is most glorified in us and we are most satisfied in Him! And one day we will live in the light of His glory and glorify Him!
Quote for The Day: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Listen: 'HE’s turned my mourning'
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