Beauty for Ashes

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isa. 61:3 KJV).

Beauty results when the grace of the Lord Jesus meets the ashes of our lives. Isaiah said the Messiah would be filled with the Spirit and do beautiful things for people.

Ashes are the remains when something is burnt— they are ruins of what previously existed but was consumed by fire. In Isaiah 61:3, God has in mind the ruins of humanity following the devastation of sin. God created man in beauty, but sin came into the world and left humanity in ashes. We can also extend this application to other aspects of our lives today. Maybe someone reading this devotional has their marriage, relationships, finances, health, career, or family in ashes.

Christ specializes in bringing beauty out of ashes. This statement is not some spiritual rhetoric or feel-good encouragement. Grace is divinely designed for those in ashes; it is the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives to turn our shame into beauty. And, it is free! As a believer, you stand on a platform of grace, and God withholds no good thing from you (Psalms 84:11).

So there is hope for the ashes of our lives. You are living in good time, the acceptable year of the Lord. Do not despair, but let Christ’s touch of favor bring beauty from any ashes in your life.

Please take a moment to think and mutter the words of Isaiah 61:3 as you think about your life and the devotional above.

It is the Father’s good pleasure to turn ashes into beauty in our lives. The same way you receive salvation is how you will receive all His gifts—by believing and accepting His gift. Do not despair over any circumstance because the Savior has come. Grace is here. Ask, seek and knock!

Ask for help to receive grace for the throne of grace and turn ashes into beauty in your life.