Isaiah 61:3 and 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.
Jesus wore a crown of a criminal to exchange it with a crown of beauty. He took our garment stained with sin and exchanged it with the ‘garment of righteousness’. Isaiah 61:10 For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness. When we bring our failures, disappointments, despair and despondency to the foot of the cross, He will exchange it with a garland of glory and garment of praise. There is a simple principle that we must understand in order to enjoy the priceless exchange. We must wash ourselves clean of the ashes that was thrown on us; receive the anointing of the oil of joy and put on the garment of praise. He will not be able to crown us with beauty and garland us as a bride if we are going to wear the grieving sack clothes of sorrow; He will not be able to pour the oil of joy, comfort and hope if we are covered with the dirt of disappointment, bitterness and hostility; He will not be able to put on the bridal garment of praise if we are clothed in the widows gown of loss, sorrow and despair.
Joseph removed his prison clothes before he put on the pricey palace clothes of honour; Ruth removed her widow’s garment before she put on the beautiful bridal gown; Mary Magdalene got rid of the clothes of a prostitute before she put on the preacher’s coat and blind Bartimaeus threw the cloak of blindness before he put on the garment of praise.
Three components of ‘The Exchange’:
1. Garland: Ashes represent the end but crown, diadem and garland symbolise a glorious new beginning. The loss of the past will be replaced with crowns, wreaths, bouquets and garlands. Years wasted will be redeemed; loss will be replenished and what is dead will live. The widowhood, loneliness and bareness of Ruth was adorned with the gold, garland and wedding gown.
2. Gasoline: Proverbs 15:13 Happiness makes you smile; sorrow can crush you. We cannot hide sorrow behind a smile. The Lord pours the oil of joy in exchange for the heaviness and hopelessness in our heart. Joy is like a fragrant oil that is rubbed all over us. The aroma of rejoicing will be on us and the sweet fragrance of hope will energise us even in the dark valley. If we wait for the solution to our problems before we enjoy the oil of joy our answers could be delayed. Exchanging the oil of joy for sorrow and slathering the fragrant aromatic oil of rejoicing instead of mourning is the key to the locked doors.
3. Garment: Praise is a garment we put on. It is a conscious choice not a spiritual gift. When we stop cribbing and complaining and start praising, the mantle of praise will clothe us with His glory, majesty and power. Praise is a powerful weapon that invades the enemy’s camp, breaks iron bars and knocks open closed doors. Make a conscious, cautious choice to put on praise. Turn a worship CD on and read a Psalm to ignite the fire of praise every day.
Pain, shame, blame, disgrace, disappointment and distress comes on us like a black cloak of depression. Don’t let the devil steal your joy, hope or freedom for one more day. Exchange the ashes, sorrow and distress with beauty, joy and praise today.
Psalms 93:1 The LORD reigns! He is robed in majesty; the LORD has clothed and armed Himself with strength.
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