Jesus Is My Messiah
By Twila Belk
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on Me, because the Lord has anointed
Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from
darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and
the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 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. Isaiah 61:1-3
God and I have many conversations. One day I chatted with Him about the messiness of life. This is what He said to me --
"Yes, Child, life can be tough at times, but I know exactly what you need. In fact, long before you were born I decided what would be the perfect gift for you.
"I knew there would be times when you were poor and needed good news. I knew there would be times your heart would be broken and you'd need healing. I knew there would be things in your life that would try to hold you captive and that you'd need freedom. I knew you'd feel trapped in your circumstances, maybe even like a prisoner, and you'd need release from darkness.
"I knew there'd be times when you felt as if you were no good or ugly or that your life was a pile of rubbish--that you had nothing to show for it but ashes. I knew a crown of beauty is what you'd need instead of those ashes.
"I knew you'd go through periods of great loss. I knew you'd need comfort and provision. For those times you mourned--there have been lots of them, and there will be many more--I knew you'd also need gladness and great joy. Instead of moping around in a spirit of despair, I thought you might like a garment of praise. It looks beautiful on you, you know.
"I want to make you strong, Child, like a big oak tree. People will look at your life and what I've done with you and through you and say, 'Now there's a display of God's splendor.'
"Listen, Child, your life might be messy and you might feel like a mess, but that's exactly why I sent a Messiah. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Messiah is My gift to you today and every day. He's the gift that keeps on giving."
Do you need the Messiah's touch today? Invite Him to minister to your needs.
Jesus, my Messiah, where would I be without Your ministry in my messy life? Speak to me, work in me, and strengthen me. May others look at me and see a display of Your splendor.
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