When I left home at 18, I thought I was leaving my problems behind me, but I came to realize there were many problems in my soul because of the abuse I had endured. I desperately needed the healing love of God to restore my life!
Isaiah 61:1-3 (NKJV) says Jesus came “to preach good tidings to the poor … to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn…to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness …”
Thank God for His promise to heal the brokenhearted, comfort those who mourn, and set the captives free! Now, I’m not going to tell you it’s easy to go through the healing process; it takes time, diligence in studying the Word, and lots of prayer to walk out the healing that is yours by virtue of the blood of Christ. But as believers in Jesus, we have the authority of His name to overcome sin and access the power of God in our lives so we can experience the promises in His Word.
And the promises of God belong to anyone who is born again!
Making the Divine Exchange
When we come into a relationship with Christ, a divine exchange happens. He takes our sin and the messes in our lives and gives us His righteousness, peace and joy (see Rom. 4:17). He gives us joy for mourning, beauty for ashes, praise instead of depression, forgiveness instead of blame, righteousness instead of guilt, hope instead of despair … and on and on. All we have to do is give up our ashes and receive God’s beauty.
