What are we trying to hear from the Lord every day? How can we do better for Him, knowing that regularly, we fall short of our best. What scriptures pick us up off the ground? Today on our walk we ran into a woman who used to come to every show in the early 90s. We haven't seen her since then. She told us she is now going through a divorce of a 14 year marriage. She feels judged in her family because it is the only divorce out of 8 siblings. I noticed her bracelet which had images of Christ and Mary. She said, she's never alone, and that her faith is carrying her through. Shelley gave her her gideons bible she just happened to be carrying with us. We spent the rest of the day praying for her comfort through this time। What are some scriptures in the word that can help people is this kind of situation? As we stood there, we looked to the south, and saw the huge cross that sits on the campus of Eugene Bible College up on the hill. I said to her, "to some the cross is offensive, but what it is, is the power of resurrection, and of God saying to us, I went through your pain too, I can comfort you, and I understand your brokenness."
- Isaiah 61:3
and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
I often sit and read Isaiah 61 the whole chapter. Shelley and I wrote a song of that chapter word for word almost in its entirety. It is the gospel prophesied, and what Jesus read when he started his ministry. It is the word that gives us such comfort that we have a loving father who is all about restoration, and redemtion. No matter what personal trials we are going through, we can say to ourselves and to others "all is well, because I know the Lord, and my salvation is secure". We can then encourage others in the Lord, and notice that the anointing that falls on us from praising God, has just lifted us from the fleshy feeling of pain of our troubles. The peace that surpasses all understanding has just guarded our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
