BEAUTY FOR ASHES (June 2018)
Reference: Isaiah 61: 1-3
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to [a]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,3 To [b]console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty 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 the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
In the olden days there was a bartering system at which a fair trade was expected. Yet, when money was being converted in the Temple, Jesus observed dishonesty. People were being shortchanged. Displeasure grew in Jesus and the moneychangers were chastised drastically. Isaiah 61 tells us of another trade that was not the result of equity but of grace. The disillusioned is being given beauty in place of ashes.
The custom then was to be clothed in ashes during times of: sadness (Daniel 9:3); cleansing (Numbers 19:17); or repentance (Job 42:5-6). To have ashes on your face looks, feels and portrays ugliness. No one really desires to be seen publicly in that condition. Inconsiderate people may use it as a channel of mockery. Thus, deepening the wound of despair. Even little children found Job’s condition amusing. Grown-ups used it as a weapon of condemnation. These are common reactions of unwise people.
There are many documentaries of people who have viewed their surroundings from the top of Mount Everest. However, to get there, they needed desire, courage, perseverance and tour guides. Without a doubt, a shortage or lack of any of these, would present obstacles on the upward climb. We have an upward mobility also and seasons of ashes will intercept and detour our progress but the pursuit of the promised prize (Heaven) keeps us going. When we die, we literally return to the dust from which we came, but when we die to sin we are elevated from the beggarly elements of dust and ashes. Let’s examine some markers along the upward path to a higher calling.
When we speak of things contrary to exalting Christ and we acknowledge our failure, it is okay to be sorry for displeasing God. Job did and repented in dust and ashes. Job bemoans his condition (Job 7:4-6). If, at times, we feel like Job or even worse, we can be hopeful. The end of Job’s situation far surpassed its beginning. No one chooses to be defeated by life, but we can choose our response to situations, by constantly hoping and confessing that God’s plans are perfect.
In Esther 4:1-2, Mordecai mourned, wept loudly publicly and placed ashes on his head when he needed divine intervention. Seemingly, Haman had won. Thankfully, Mordecai was not overcome by what he perceived to be the enemy’s victory. He sought help from his community of Jews and this resulted in a concerted effort to fast and pray. Some problems are solved only through fasting and prayer. (Matthew 17:21). Because nothing is too hard for the Lord, we must summon Heaven’s help. When we deny the physical being, then the spiritual man takes preeminence, thus enabling us to war in the spirit. Mordecai and all the Jews received beauty for ashes when the law was passed about Purim in Esther 9:22 Haman’s intent was to destroy the Jews at any cost. Isn’t’ that just like our adversary? He stops at nothing: whatever it takes.
Jesus also stopped at nothing so that we may be clothed with joy, peace, and hope. Psalm 149:4 He beautifies the meek with salvation. What a precious robe! Sometimes we may not recognize that our morning has arrived, because the nights of weeping last so long. As sure as night follows day, He will switch our clothing of despair and depression. No road block is impenetrable when we allow God to take the lead. In comparison to what Jesus endured Paul classifies our trials as light affliction. To us, they are burdensome so let’s turn to the Burden Bearer and hurl our cares on Him. Fire, though a bad master, happens to be a good tool. It purifies gold and produces ashes from burning wood. The shiny metal that we sometimes crave had to be burned so that we can desire it. Ashes neither look nor feel good. Comparatively, when troubles overwhelm us, and we feel burned to a cinder, our hope lies in the assurance that God has promised us a trade. Ashes can be blown away, but beauty is more than skin-deep.
Our process, many times burns our spirit, but we must be determined to stay the course and not abort the process. Then, when the beauty of Christ is seen in us, others will be drawn to discover what makes the difference. There is an expected change because our hope is in God. Outwardly, we may experience trouble and uncertainty, but God will be exalted as we overcome (2 Corinthians: 4:16, 17). There is a beauty that we receive from Him: the attribute of peace with which we respond when heaviness overwhelms us. He is willing to make the trade and it pleases our Father to see us walk in faith.
Ultimately, we will be called, the planting of The Lord, thus bringing Him glory. When we see ourselves as being God’s product, we will realize that we are firm, and cannot be uprooted. The storms of life may bend us to and fro, yet in Him, we stand sure-footed. Anchored in Him, we are promised beauty, joy and a spirit of praise. All this is promised to those who mourn. In Matthew 5, mourners are said to be blessed and are promised comfort. It is in the comfort that we are blessed.
Any of the following categories may describe us: the poor, brokenhearted, captive, or sad. Jesus promises an anointing of joy and the garment of praise instead. Activate praise! Since the experiences of ashes are inevitable let us anticipate trading them for beauty. Ashes do not make for an inviting cosmetic, but as we solicit the sacrifice of praise, HE provides a make-over of beauty.
Dr. O. A. James