Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"To comfort all who mourn"
Text: Isaiah 61:2
TREE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
The work of proclaiming the Gospel would be a major task of the Messiah. The Lord Jesus preached the kingdom of heaven to all who would hear Him.
“To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”
Isaiah 61:2-3
1. The Gospel of the LORD was doubled edged.
a) It would be great news for those who would hear.
i) They would receive salvation.
ii) They would be reconciled to God.
iii) This may be described as “the acceptable year of the LORD”.
b) It would also result in judgment.
i) To all who would reject the Lord and His word.
ii) They would be held accountable for their sins.
iii) The consequences would be grim and sad indeed.
2. Great blessings from the Lord.
a) Those who mourn would be comforted.
b) Those who grieve for their sins would receive comfort from God.
c) No more would they mourn with ashes thrown upon themselves.
d) The oil of joy would be given to them.
e) They would be given garments of praise and no more have a heavy spirit of mourning.
f) They would be called “trees of righteousness”.
g) God Himself would do the planting of these trees.
h) Through them the LORD would be glorified.