Exchange

March 14, 2025

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. Isaiah 61:3

Life has a way of taking sudden turns. We can be up one minute and everything going well, then all of a sudden, the bottom falls out and find ourselves in a tailspin. Because of all of things we go through and feeling like it is one thing right after another, we lose hope, and do not think things will ever get any better for us, and if we are not careful, we coiuld go through life expecting something bad to always happen. The Scripture reminds us God will give us 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. I encourage you today to remember God has a plan for your life, a plan that will lift you up when you are down. God will exchange all the negatives in your life for positives. God will give you beauty for your ashes, and He will exchange your mourning for joy. Allow God to come into your situation and turn things around for your good and His glory. God will take your spirit of heaviness and the things which are weighing you down and give you a garment of praise, that no matter what you are going through, you will be able to praise your way through. God wants to plant you to stand strong as an oak tree, and no matter what comes against you, you will still be able to stand. Let God work all things out for you today and every day. I thank God He has exchanged my ashes, for beauty, my mourning for joy, my heaviness for a garment of praise and has planted me to stay strong in the midst of the storm. Since God has exchanged my pain for praise, I am so confident, "It's My Year To Get My Thing From My God!"

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for being so great to me. Thank you for planting me and making me strong and able to stand even in the midst of the storms. I love you Lord. In Jesus Name Amen.

Be Inspired, Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Pogue, Pastor
Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church
Mount Vernon, NY