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
Dear Lord Jesus, I’m increasingly grateful for all the reasons the Father sent you into the world. When I behold the perfect holiness of God, I’m so thankful you came to set us free from our imprisonment to sin and death and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. In the gospel we hear you singing these words over us: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). We have no righteousness apart from yours, Lord Jesus, none.
When I look at places like Haiti, Calcutta and Darfur, I’m so thankful that you came to preach good news to the poor—not just good news concerning spiritual poverty but also the good news of a kingdom which provides food for the hungry, clean water for the thirsty, shelter for the homeless, advocacy for the marginalized, family for the orphan.
When I look at systemic evil in the world—human trafficking, the idolatry of greed, an ideology of terror, the pornography industry, to name a few—I’m so thankful that you’ve also come to proclaim the day of vengeance of our God. No one is a greater champion of justice than you, Lord Jesus. One day, all the pillaging weeds of unrighteousness will be replaced with mighty oaks of righteousness, all for your glory.
But today, Lord Jesus, this very morning, I’m especially thankful that you’re close to the brokenhearted and that you save those who are crushed in spirit. We pray for the scores of families who experienced the buzz saw of massive tornadoes yesterday and those who are waking up to the destructive floodwaters along the Mississippi River. Lost properties are one thing, but lost family members, quite another. Some stories and moments make us wonder, “Why, O Lord?” and “How long, O Lord?” Show us how to love well in the crisis and crucible.
Lord Jesus, thank you for not despising our questions and or ignoring our weariness. No one was broken in heart and body like you, no one was crushed in spirit like you, and you did it all for us. In the mystery and in this moment, we praise you that you comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve.
O for the day when we will forever be done with a spirit of despair and will only wear the garment of praise. In your kindhearted, ever-present name we pray. Amen.
