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"….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 61:3 NIV)
It was a cold winters’ day. So cold that I debated on going for my daily walk with the dogs, worrying that it would be too frigid for their feet. Never-the-less, they were all anxious to get outside, so off we went. As we trudged around the snowy path, I pulled my parka hood up over my hatted head to try and cut the searing north wind. What a bitter day, I thought to myself. In spite of the cold however, the beauty of the brilliant blue sky against the stark white landscape was a sight to behold. Best of all however, was the heat of the winter sun beating down upon us, making our glacial experience, that much more bearable.
That winter sun reminded me of the last part of todays’ scripture verse: a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Life, just like the weather, can at times become quite bitter, causing us to become discouraged or even despair. God understands this and has thus given us a remedy to make our difficult situations bearable. Praise is the key for lifting our spirits and blessing us with the encouragement, hope and strength to persevere amidst the winters of life.
Praise focuses our attention on the truth of who God is, what He has done in the past and what He will do now, as well as in the future. Praise opens the door of hope, as well as expectancy. God is ever-present. God will never leave us. God goes before us. God is able to lead us in the right path. He is the God of peace who will provide every good thing we need in order to do His will. God is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in wisdom. He hears us when we cry and answers our pleas. He is also able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we could ever hope or dream. More even than our highest prayers.
Yes, when we don the garment of praise amidst our times of discouragement or despair, our spirits are lifted, our burdens become lighter and hope for today as well as tomorrow begins to shine down upon us, just as that warmth of that winter sun shone down upon me, on that cold and bitter winters’ day, giving me strength to keep going.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the garment of praise to banish the spirit of heaviness within our lives when the storms of life assail us. Remind us please Jesus, to don it quickly and wrap it tightly around us. In Your name we pray. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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