Isaiah 61
3and 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.
It’s time to go to worship!
You can enrich your time with God by incorporating the secrets of worship. Worship is not a one-dimensional background sound in your Bible study—it is a powerful tool for you to change your world. Do you use worship as a tool to create change?
Yesterday, we already looked at this verse from the Bible: “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name” (Psalms 100:4, NIV). The first type of worship is praise. It has the power to heal us emotionally. I don’t know why, but it really works.
I’ll never forget the day—I was battling discouragement. I was a therapist, dad, and husband, and our finances were in the garbage. I was alone in the house at our dining room table, and I put my head between my hands and cried. Then all of a sudden, a strong thought came to my mind: “…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” (Isaiah 61:3, NIV).
It really surprised me because it was so contrary to my emotions. Praise instead of wallowing in my problems? Thank God instead of giving up? It really didn’t make any sense at all, but I did it anyway…and the heaviness started to leave. I discovered I had a weapon against the depression that had threatened me most of my life.
Worship is a weapon for you. I’ve often taught people that worship is really a “warship.” I fight the visible and invisible battles of life with worship. Have you ever used worship as a weapon?
I’m praying your daily moments with God will be filled with spiritual and emotional victories.
We would like to thank Jesus.net for providing this plan.
Every Day With God 