Set Apart to Speak

 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor,

Isaiah 61:1 ESV

Jesus Christ is the Anointed, the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament of the Bible. He is the Promised Deliverer and messianic servant empowered by the Spirit of God to proclaim good news. Jesus’s first sermon was reading from the scroll of Isaiah 61:1-2 (see Luke 4:17-19). He was set apart for the seven purposes stated in Isaiah 61:1-3:

·         To bring good news to the poor—the afflicted

·         To bind up the brokenhearted

·         To proclaim liberty to the captives

·         To open the prison doors for those who are bound

·         To proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor

·         To comfort all who mourn

·         To give those who mourn a beautiful headdress, the oil of gladness, and the garment of praise.

Jesus has done all of this for us! God meets us in our troubles. He also gives us the desire to bring the hope of Jesus to other “poor” women. Women who, like us, are devoted followers of Jesus but not consistently living in His victory.

The “hope of the gospel” is my purpose—my one thing. God is faithful to remind me of this when I question my life and forget who and whose I am. What about you?

. . . continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel (my emphasis) that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, (Colossians 1:23 ESV).

Talking is tough for me—just like it was for Moses, the leader of ancient Israel. Childhood trauma stunted my brain. Pausing, stuttering, and stammering with heart pounding is my norm.

But God—enables me to listen to others’ stories and speak hope to them. Not eloquently, and usually with tears, but nonetheless using words.

Experiencing freedom from hopeless, emotional captivity has changed me.

Thank You, Holy Spirit, for calming my fears enough to bring Your words to others.

Karen Sims