Thank you LORD that You came to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and to release from darkness for the prisoners. That You LORD that You provide healing and freedom from the darkness of sin, from our spiritual death, You made us alive again, in the LORD. Thank you LORD for giving us the same mandate - to help spread the gospel, and to heal the sick, and help bring about freedom to those who are enslaved to sin. Thank You, Jesus, for the healing You’ve brought to me and many others. I look forward to complete healing in heaven one day. Thank you LORD that You shall give me a “a garment of praise and not a spirit of despair” (Isaiah 61:3). I praise You, dear LORD.
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The Year of the Lord’s Favor
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
3 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.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
[From ODB] Always a busy guy, Carson hunted, fished, rode dirt bikes, and skateboarded. He loved everything outdoors. But he was in a motorcycle accident and became paralyzed from the chest down. Soon depression sank in, and he didn’t see much of a future. Then one day some of his buddies got him to go hunting again. For a time he forgot about his injury as he enjoyed the beauty around him. This experience brought him inner healing and inspired a new purpose for his life — to provide the same experience for others like him through a nonprofit organization, Hunt 2 Heal. He says his accident was “a blessing in disguise. . . . Now I’m able to give back, which I’ve always wanted to do. I’m happy.” He’s excited about providing a place for those with severe mobility disabilities and their caregivers to find healing.
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The prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of One who would bring healing for brokenness (Isaiah 61). He would “bind up the brokenhearted” and “comfort all who mourn” (vv. 1–2). After Jesus read this Scripture in His hometown synagogue, He said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). Jesus came to save us and make us whole.
Are you in need of inner healing? Turn to Jesus and He’ll give you “a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (Isaiah 61:3). By Anne Cetas
[From Commentary] The book of Isaiah, the longest in the Old Testament aside from the book of Psalms, breaks down into two major sections. Chapters 1–33 declare judgment upon Judah and the nations, with the promise of restoration included in the “warning” section. Chapters 34–66 focus on the restoration of Israel in the kingdom of the Messiah. Because of Isaiah’s heavy emphasis on the person and role of the Messiah, it’s often quoted in the New Testament as having been fulfilled in Jesus. Some scholars even refer to Isaiah as the “fifth gospel.” The book of Isaiah is quoted or alluded to at least sixty-two times in the New Testament. Today’s reading was quoted by Jesus in His synagogue message at Nazareth (Luke 4:17–19) when He publicly announced His messiahship. by Bill Crowder
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[From me] Thank you LORD that You came to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and to release from darkness for the prisoners. That You LORD that You provide healing and freedom from the darkness of sin, from our spiritual death, You made us alive again, in the LORD. Thank you LORD for giving us the same mandate - to help spread the gospel, and to heal the sick, and help bring about freedom to those who are enslaved to sin. Thank You, Jesus, for the healing You’ve brought to me and many others. I look forward to complete healing in heaven one day. Thank you LORD that You shall give me a “a garment of praise and not a spirit of despair” (Isaiah 61:3). I praise You, dear LORD.
Posted May 30, 2023
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