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,
and 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.
~ Isaiah 61:1-3
Looking toward Easter, we see the time of the Lord’s favor. Through His resurrection, Jesus proclaims liberty to the captives, comforts those who mourn, and gives us a garment of praise instead of a faint spirit. We are in the time of mourning for our sins now during Lent, but the time of rejoicing is coming.
Father God, I mourn for my sins that put Jesus on the cross. I praise You and thank You for His sacrifice that once and for all redeemed me and gave me eternal life. I can be called an oak of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, for Your glory. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.