Isaiah 61: The Year of the Lord's Favor

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness 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.

They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.

Isaiah 61:1-4

Praise Jesus, this is what He came here for. I memorized these verses, among others, when I did a life-changing Bible Study called "Breaking Free," by Beth Moore. I was reminded of these words last night when I was at a worship gathering to celebrate what Jesus did for us. I hope that reading them will thrill your soul the way it does mine.