"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon 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 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." ~ Isaiah 61:1-3
It seems like every time I turn around I am getting a phone call, an e-mail, a Facebook message from someone asking me for prayer for a situation in their lives. It seems to be everyday now. Hearts are broken, sickness has came, loss, grief, some are just sitting absolutely stunned at their life circumstance. I have a friend who has a beautiful baby that they brought in their home because God told them to. They love him and now as life would have it, they are threatened to have this baby taken away after they have grown to love him so. Another, lost a beautiful baby. Another, whose Father has been given a very grim diagnosis of cancer. Another, from someone who is just experiencing grief all the way around, in every circumstance, everywhere she turns. And yet another, whose very young life is fighting to live on life support. I have seen someone who has not one thing to her sweet, precious name. No belongings, no loving family, nothing. .I have also heard of a Mother who had to bury her 19 year old son this week. Another who has lost her son and a beloved sister within a month of each other. And I promise, this has been in the last few weeks.
Tonight, I have had to just look up and cry out to God. Why? Lord, isn't there something You can do. Can you stop all this pain? And then, He gently whispered over me.... Isaiah 61. The very verses have always been comfort to me in my times of grief. The Words that wash over me and give me hope. It never ceases to amaze me how God gave the prophets in the Old Testament the revelation of the future to come. Isaiah speaks of Jesus in the first verse.... way before He was ever born to Mary. And it reminded me, this is who I want on my side. This is who I need, my friends need, and everyone else around me in this broken world. God sent Him, He was anointed to preach good news to the poor, the broken, the grief stricken, those left standing there wondering what in the world just happened to them. God sent Him to live within us and to bind our broken hearts, to release us from captivity and darkness, to comfort those who mourn and provide for those that grieve. Praise His Name. Praise Him.
We have to hold on to this. His Word tells us that He will never leave us, never forsake us. We have to stand in that today and just believe. We have to cry out to Him. Even if it's one word, Help or Why. He is there. He already knows.
As I kept thinking about it, I started to think of the different names of Jesus. Who is He to you today?
It seems like every time I turn around I am getting a phone call, an e-mail, a Facebook message from someone asking me for prayer for a situation in their lives. It seems to be everyday now. Hearts are broken, sickness has came, loss, grief, some are just sitting absolutely stunned at their life circumstance. I have a friend who has a beautiful baby that they brought in their home because God told them to. They love him and now as life would have it, they are threatened to have this baby taken away after they have grown to love him so. Another, lost a beautiful baby. Another, whose Father has been given a very grim diagnosis of cancer. Another, from someone who is just experiencing grief all the way around, in every circumstance, everywhere she turns. And yet another, whose very young life is fighting to live on life support. I have seen someone who has not one thing to her sweet, precious name. No belongings, no loving family, nothing. .I have also heard of a Mother who had to bury her 19 year old son this week. Another who has lost her son and a beloved sister within a month of each other. And I promise, this has been in the last few weeks.
Tonight, I have had to just look up and cry out to God. Why? Lord, isn't there something You can do. Can you stop all this pain? And then, He gently whispered over me.... Isaiah 61. The very verses have always been comfort to me in my times of grief. The Words that wash over me and give me hope. It never ceases to amaze me how God gave the prophets in the Old Testament the revelation of the future to come. Isaiah speaks of Jesus in the first verse.... way before He was ever born to Mary. And it reminded me, this is who I want on my side. This is who I need, my friends need, and everyone else around me in this broken world. God sent Him, He was anointed to preach good news to the poor, the broken, the grief stricken, those left standing there wondering what in the world just happened to them. God sent Him to live within us and to bind our broken hearts, to release us from captivity and darkness, to comfort those who mourn and provide for those that grieve. Praise His Name. Praise Him.
We have to hold on to this. His Word tells us that He will never leave us, never forsake us. We have to stand in that today and just believe. We have to cry out to Him. Even if it's one word, Help or Why. He is there. He already knows.
As I kept thinking about it, I started to think of the different names of Jesus. Who is He to you today?
- Yahweh Yireh - Your Provider
- Yahweh Nissi - Your Banner
- Yahweh Shalom - Your Prince of Peace
- Yahweh Rophe - Your Lord who heals You
- Yahweh Tsuri - Your Lord, Your Rock
- Yahweh Roi - Your Lord, Your Shepherd
Think about that. He is all of those names and many, many more. I urge you, no matter where you are, what is going on in your life to just stop. Be still. Know He is God. Cry out to Him. Lean on Him, throw a fit on Him, whatever your heart desires. Just go. Don't wait. Just go. He is waiting with arms wide open for You to just come on.
I can't describe what it feels like in my heart when He speaks to me. I know this is for someone today. I hope it lands right in your lap. All for His glory.... every bit to His glory. Praise You Father. Praise You.
Resting in His Arms, Brandi
