2023 Advent Devotional - Isaiah 61:1-4 (Day 9)

Isaiah 61:1-4 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, wand the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.”
 
The Gift of the Holy Spirit for service, generosity, helping the poor, deliverance

The title “Messiah” means “anointed one.”  Jesus is the promise, the one chosen by God, the anointed deliverer and bringer of good news to lead and deliver His people on Earth.  These verses tell us Jesus’ mission statement.  They explain what he came to do.  During his ministry, He preaches hope, heals, sets free, and comforts.  The “day of vengeance” refers to the day when God punishes the sinful and rewards the righteous.  God promised to replace the ashes with beauty, mourning with joy, and sadness with praise.

The “poor” can be described in a couple ways.  One being having low-income.  There are people around us with all kinds of needs.   Jesus meets their needs through us when we are generous with what we have and when we use the gift of the Holy Spirit to serve others with our skills and time.  It is always better to give than receive.  Poor can also be referred to in spirit and faith.  We are given opportunities to tell people about Jesus or even just point them to Him.  These verses describe our opportunity to help heal the brokenhearted by showing them Jesus.  We are to help set the captives free so they can know God’s forgiveness.  We are to open the prison of death and destruction in this world by declaring the good news of Jesus.

God, thank you for bringing Your good news to this broken and lost world.  Thank you for bringing us healing and hope, light and joy.  Show us opportunities to bring many more to faith and trust in you.  Amen. - By Lisa Simmons