Isaiah 61

A few days ago God started to stir me to delve into Isaiah 61, Today i want to share a few of my thoughts and work through the words that brought inspiration, pain & hope to my heart! Over the last year i have become more closely aware of Injustice in the world, whether it be Poverty, Child Prostitution, Child Slavery, Homelessness, Abuse, Brokenness in ALL forms or any ONE thing that takes Human Rights away from an individual God has given me a burden for it! My thought here is why did it take so long? & why do some Christians think they don't need to do anything about it?

¹ 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,

When i see words like Anointed, Bind, Proclaim & Release i automatically recognize that they are words of authority and action! Each of these words are verbs which mean they imply "action or doing". I see so many Christians out there who LOVE to preach, who LOVE to throw scripture in your face but i see a lack of people out there doing what the scriptures say! Imagine this city, when "the church" decide that with no limitations or reservations they take the anointing of the Lord & use it to BIND up the broken-hearted, FREE the captives & RELEASE people from darkness! That in my opinion is the heartbeat of Christ & that is how we see our city won!

⁴ They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.

As i read these words my immediate thought was that this is what God has called the church; The body of Believers for! To go into places of Devastation, Cities that have been ruined and are trapped in darkness and rebuild it with the love and light of Christ. God needs us as his people in places others would not dream of going. For those who say they are fearful, or "I'm not that kind of person" the bible says... Isaiah 41:10-11 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced..." With our lives in his mighty hands, what do we have to Fear?

¹⁰ I delight greatly in the LORD;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness.

To delight in something means you "take great pleasure" in something, people all over the World find things to "delight" in, for some it's partying, drinking and having a "good" time! For others its excelling in something they are talented at or having a great paying Job. For me it's sewing into Gods kingdom with my life, heart and with willingness. The challenge for myself has been the reminder of delighting in the Lord and seeing just how refreshing, empowering and transforming he is! Let your soul rejoice in God knowing your plans, your purpose & your future are in his big, strong hands! Let it sink into your heart that because of one act on a cross you have the open doorway to salvation! Christian or No Christian, those last 3 things are the most powerful & life-changing experiences one can ever have!

Big Love!