Let’s Make an Exchange
“The mighty Spirit of Lord Yahweh is wrapped around me because Yahweh has anointed me, as a messenger to preach good news to the poor. He sent me to heal the wounds of the brokenhearted, to tell captives, “You are free,” and to tell prisoners, “Be free from your darkness.” I am sent to announce a new season of Yahweh’s grace and a time of God’s recompense on his enemies, to comfort all who are in sorrow, to strengthen those crushed by despair who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful bouquet in the place of ashes, the oil of bliss instead of tears, and the mantle of joyous praise instead of the spirit of heaviness.” Isaiah 61
There is an exchange expected to happen every time you turn your heart to Jesus. Every time you go to church, every time you pray and read the Bible, Jesus is there to make an exchange with you. He tells us in Isaiah He has come with the anointing of Heaven to give good news to those who are poor in their hearts. Poor is not about money. People with lots of money can be poor. The first thing Jesus wants to do for you is heal your broken heart.
This is the time to allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Ask Him if there is any brokenness hiding deep within. Brokenness you don’t even realize is there will affect your decision making. Once your heart is healed you begin to see freedom in your life in areas you’ve struggled a long time. You will also see freedom in your children’s lives. Whatever overshadows you - overshadows your children.
“To give them a beautiful bouquet in the place of ashes.” This bouquet is actually a headdress (a turban) in the original language. He’s putting a beautiful headdress on you instead of ashes. This is not Him putting a crown over the ashes. No, He comes to remove the ashes completely from your head. These ashes represent every negative thought you have about yourself. Every shame, regret, guilt, and condemnation, it all has to be removed. Every time you have a negative thought about yourself or feel a certain way it is an opportunity for an exchange.
Don’t get discouraged when you feel heaviness. Jesus is telling us these things come but every time turn your heart to Him and make the exchange. It does not matter how many times you have to give it to Jesus; He will not be disappointed in you. What He wants you to do is stop coming into agreement with the lies that come.
When you have a thought that is not from Him immediately turn to Him and say I am here to make the exchange. I’ll take what you have and believe what you say about me and my family. The more you walk in this the faster you’ll see transformation take place. Then on the other side of the transformation you begin to lead the broken hearted to Jesus through your transformed lives. You will be known as a Mighty Oak of Righteousness. A living display of His glory.
You must value what you are hearing. How do you value this information, so that it transforms your life? Keep it at the forefront of your mind today, tomorrow and however long it takes to walk in the freedom and righteousness Jesus has for you. This process takes longer for some because they do not value the seeds of the Kingdom.
Write it down, talk about it with people you trust, keep an ongoing conversation with Jesus. These are ways you value what He is giving you.
