Beauty For Ashes

Key Verse 3 “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified”.

Beauty is the quality present in a thing or person, that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind.

Ash is the grey or black powdery substance that is left after something is burnt.

From our key verse Isaiah 61:3 ,God promised to give beauty for ashes, for those who mourn in Zion.

In biblical times, it was customary for people to sit in ashes or cover themselves with ashes to express loss or mourning, such as a grief;

1. Over a traumatic situation, e.g. Tamar raped by Amnon (2 Samuel 13:19).

2. Over a distressing national disaster , e.g. Death threat to Mordecai and the Jews (Esther 4:1)

3. Associated with repentance from one’s own sin (Jonah 3:5-7)

Ashes is therefore linked with negativities of life such as pain, loss, afflictions, disappointments, distress, despair, shame, darkness, dispute, bitterness and suffering . Hence, God promises to replace it with beauty (hope, light, success, joy and glory).

Beauty for ashes, is an ever-running promise to God’s people that He shall deliver us from our plights and ultimately send us the Messiah. So we can still look up to Him (Hebrews 12:2), for encouragement and hope when facing difficulty. For He has assured us in His word in Psalm 34:19 “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all”.

My beloved in the LORD, no matter the ashes that has covered the burning coals of your life, health, job, marriage, ministry, relationships, family, education, and business; and you are overwhelmed with mourning and heaviness. Keep faith and head high in the LORD, for He is still and always waiting to turn things around for your good and favour; So you can have the oil of joy for mourning, be adorned with the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; and be named tree of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.

May God richly bless you in Jesus Christ Name, Amen