. . . to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;

Isaiah 61:3 ESV

Hmmm. . . What should I wear today? So many choices. Those in prison don’t have clothing or pampering choices. The Israelites, held captive when exiled to Babylon, endured physical bondage as well as oppression by others’ sin and Satan’s tactics. The standard attire was sackcloth and ashes—symbolizing mourning or agony. They lacked oil for refreshing and cleansing. Add to that the frumpy weight of despair which hung from their shoulders.

In contrast, Jesus, the coming Messiah would beautify and instill hope for the oppressed. The picture here is not merely of an outward beauty. God primarily concerns Himself with the inward person, yet He shows favor for both physical and spiritual loveliness!

For me, oppression is like trying to tread water while wearing a heavy overcoat and concrete boots. I struggle to keep my head above water, pushing down anxiety and stress. I want to survive and thrive. Tremendous effort is necessary to appear okay to others and fit in. Fear and people-pleasing tend to wrongly dictate my behavior. When suffering comes, I’m tempted to ask God, “Why me?” and sink into self-pity. The result has been an ugliness that masks God’s beautiful Spirit.

The world offers comfort food, shopping, extravagant recreation, and doing your own thing to avoid displeasure and discomfort. My way is to withdraw from others, pout, eat chocolate, and work harder.

But the Lord—in His kindness—has a perfect, upside-down exchange plan!

God’s way is beauty, gladness, and praise so that:

·         we may be called oaks of righteousness—strong and lasting (v. 3c) and

·         He may be glorified—we display God’s beauty (v. 3d)!

Do you want this as much as I do?

A different kind of beauty. Counter-cultural. Upside-down. Ready to receive it?

Lord Jesus, thank you for giving us radiant beauty instead of mourning, joy instead of sadness, and praise instead of a heavy spirit.

Karen Sims