This portion of scripture is titled “The Year of The Lords Favor” in the NIV version i absolutely love that. That means you can take hold of that bold declaration and proclaim every year of your life and say by faith this is the year of The Lords favor. not just yours but your family too as well. My NIV says Isaiah 61:11 like this
“For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden cause seed to you grow so the sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations “
What is righteousness?
The Webster Dictionary defines it as “Divine rightness”. With synonyms as virtue, morality, goodness, integrity, nobility, innocence and purity. With all that is dark, lost, confusing and hurting in the world this promise is that God Himself will make this beautiful force to be reckon springs up in all nations of the world.
Did you know that this what you are?! Let’s have a look.
“ They will be called oaks of righteousness a planting of The Lord for the display of His splendor” Isaiah 61:3
Who are they? You are they babe!
Even more “They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated. They will renew the ruin cities that have been devastated for generations”. Isaiah 61:4
Sweetheart you are called to rebuild the ancient ruins of your garden(life) and to restore the devastation that the enemy has brought. To renew the generations in your blood line. Don’t you know that your life is made for the display of His splendor? A garment of praise! A crown of beauty. Oil of joy (Isaiah 61:3)! This is The Lords will for your life as with many others.
Our lives are a well owned garden. Every corner. Every room. Every detail. Every relationship. Every marriage. Every friendship. The places that we go. The people that we meet and see. Every word that we speak. Everything we touch. A garden. The question I ask myself “‘How are my gardens today”? Did I water ? Did I nurture? Did I tend? Did I ignore? Did I selfishly carry out my own agenda? Tough question but necessary for change. A higher standard is most needed. So how do we take care of our gardens? By His Righteousness. Whatever room, corner, heart space, place, family, home, problem, situation etc. Living our lives in reverence of God will have tremendous affect of springing up the colorful gardens in our lives . Doing what He says not as obligation but in love and awe. Loving each other. Showing mercy. Showing kindness. Sticking up for others(Proverbs 31). Sticking up for yourself. Putting value in virtue. Putting value on innocence. Putting value on integrity. It ranges from being the super woman in your home to being a super woman to the globe. I truly believe it all starts in the home and before solving the worlds most troubling problems we should and need to solve what’s going on in our homes first and foremost. The beautiful and incomparable Mother Theresa said “ If you want to change the world go home and love your family”. Full bloom. This is what The Lord promises. As He commanded the first man and women to take care of the garden of Eden in the beginning He still instructs us to do the same. Again what gardens in your life need to be tended? nourished? Strengthen? Or even removed? Our Father is the all time Gardner( John 15:1) and nothing more does He want your life and the lives of others is for you to flourish beyond measure in His love and righteousness. Full bloom baby. Are you ready to put your gloves on? I am.
Love Ashley
