Read Isaiah 61

“…To comfort all who mourn, To 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.” (Isaiah 61:2–3)

How tender the Lord is to His people! Through the gospel, He transforms the broken conditions of our lives into fullness, and our poor circumstances into richness! God takes the burnt ash heap of our souls and gives beauty. He takes our mourning and gives us joy. He takes our heavy spirit and gives us reason to praise. He plants us and roots us in His righteousness and in His love. Truly — there is no god like our God, who is gracious and compassionate to the broken and contrite in heart.

“Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me; LORD, be my helper!” You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.” (Psalm 30:10–12)

It is no wonder that Jesus Christ said He is the fulfillment of these prophetic verses from Isaiah (see Luke 4:18-21). Jesus is Isaiah 61 personified and incarnate! Only in Jesus is there hope for the mourner, for Jesus mourned for us. Only in Jesus is there healing for the broken, for Jesus was broken for us. Only in Jesus is there freedom for the captive, for Jesus became captive for us. Only in Jesus is there righteousness for the sinner, for Jesus became sin for us that we might become His righteousness! (see 2 Corinthians 5:21) Yes! — it is only, and always will forever be, in Jesus.

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Dear Beloved, is this not the greatest news to your ears? Your salvation is not strictly a fact or a position. Your salvation is an experience with Christ who is in constant intercession for you — who is sympathizing with you and clothing you in His joy. Therefore, root yourself in Christ! Count all loss to gain Him in this life! Find your identity in the Lord Jesus and He will take all of your pains and sorrows, and trade them for His good pleasure. Tis’ so sweet to trust in Jesus, Christian! — especially in the valley of the shadow of death.

Will you cast your cares upon the great comforter and lover of your soul today?