Welcome to A Word for Today

Scripture:   To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.  Isa 61:3

EXCHANGES, EXCHANGES!!!!

I am a passionate shopper.  I like to shop for just about anything.  However, when I shop for clothes I seldom try them on.  The problem with this practice is that many times the garments don't fit; either too small or too large.  Now few stores will allow me to return the items and get a FULL refund of my money, although many times by the time I return the items I no longer want it.  But most stores will allow exchanges for equal or lesser value, although they require to know the reason for the exchange.

The word exchange is the act of giving something in return for something else.  This is what God does for us.  Here Isaiah comforts us and gives us the heart of God.  Isaiah in verses 1 and 2 talks about Jesus and gives reference to Jesus.  Jesus fulfilled the first 2 verses in the New Testament while teaching in the snyague.  Jesus is still fulfilling this scripture with us every day.  He is ready for us to trade with him.  It was never His intentions for us to carry our sorrow, our grief or our burdens.  But we MUST give it up in order to receive what He has for us.  The bible says for us to CAST (throw) our cares upon him for he cares for us.  Now He doesn't leave us empty handed after we have cast our burdens away.  He in turn gives us beauty for our grief filled ashes, the oil of joy for our sorrowful mourning and the garment of praise for our burdensome heaviness.  God's purpose for this exchange is so that he might ge glorified in us.  We are the trees of righteousness, planted in hold soil by an awesome God.  Martha Munizzi said it best in her song, "This is the great exchange."

Have A Blessed Day!