His Planting

"...and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor"- Isaiah 61:3 (NIV).

During the time of Jesus' earthly mission, people visibly showed their need for God's forgiveness. Throughout the Bible, people who were filled with despair sought God's intervention by putting on sackcloth and ashes. When Jonah prophesied God's coming wrath to the city of Ninevah, the king removed his robe, covered himself in sackcloth and sat in ashes (Jonah 3:6). After immeasurable loss, Job despised himself and repented by sitting in ashes (Job 42:6). Jesus scolded the citizens of Chorazin and Bethsaida, saying that Tyre and Sidon would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes had they seen the mighty works done in their cities (Matthew 11:21). Today's Scripture says God will replace ashes with beauty, mourning with joy, despair with praise. God makes us into new creations; the downtrodden are no more; mighty oaks of righteousness now stand (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are His planting.