Beauty for Ashes

                                                                Isaiah 61:3
                                               To give them beauty for ashes

Attending the wedding of my nephew, tears of joy could not be contained as I witnessed first hand the love and faithfulness of God. I expected to look into the star lit sky and see written for all to read, "I turn ashes into beauty."  It was obvious this is exactly what God had done in my nephew's life. As he stood before the guests, he proclaimed, "I  thank God every night for how He has blessed me." Yes, God had taken what once looked like a life of sadness and despair and replaced it with blessings beyond his greatest expectations.

                                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 61:3

More and more the Lord is teaching me to wait on Him, and in the waiting trust Him. If only we could see behind the scene of how God is working in our lives. He has a plan for our lives and He alone knows what must take place to bring that plan to pass. What feels like heartache could be the very tool He uses to take us to the next place in our life.

                                 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us,
                                 Who can be against us?                                __Romans 8:31

                                 Wait on the LORD; be of courage,
                                 And He shall strengthen your heart;
                                 Wait, I say, on the LORD!                           __Psalm 27:14

                                 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you says the LORD,
                                 thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
                                                                                                      __Jeremiah 29:11

I want to wait on the Lord. I want to know that I can trust Him to work all things out, and in the working, turn the ashes of my life into beauty. I know He will. I saw it written across the sky!

                                 And we know that all things work together for good to those who
                                 love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
                                                                                                      __Romans 8:28

Come Boldly

                                                           Hebrews 4:16
                                Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,
                                     that we may obtain mercy and find grace
                                                     to help in time of need.

As I read this Scripture I couldn't help but consider the word "boldly." So often the word "boldly" refers to someone who is overconfident. They convey a sense of arrogance, as if they deserve what it is they desire.

As children of God we have received more than any of us deserve. Only  because of the gracious love of our Father do we have the privilege of coming before His throne.
               As it is written:
               There is none righteous, no not one;
               There is none who understands;
               There is none who seeks after God.
               They have all turned aside;
               They have together become unprofitable;
               There is none who does good, no, not one.       __ Romans 3:10-12

This Scripture is not referring to arrogance, nor is it telling us to demand what it is we desire. It is teaching us to approach the throne of grace with confidence in Whom it is we are approaching. We are to come to the throne of grace in humility and meekness, but also with boldness, knowing our Father hears our prayers.

               I LOVE the Lord, because he has heard
               My voice and my supplications
               Because He has inclined His ear to me,
               Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.
                                                                                         __Psalm 116:1-2

               But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
               Whose confidence is in Him.                           __Jeremiah 17:7 NIV

We can rest in the assurance that as we approach the throne of grace with boldness in Whom it is we come, our Father sees our heart and hears our prayers. He alone is able to help in time of need.

               I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
               And delivered me from all my fears.              __Psalm 34:4