“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, … to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes …. They will be … a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”
Isaiah 61:1, 3
One New Year’s Eve our family experienced a very unusual freezing rain. It left the sidewalks and roads clear, but covered all the fences, bushes, trees, and power lines with ice. Taking a walk outside was like being in a crystal palace! Normally-barren trees and plain—even ugly—objects had become shining, sparkling testimonies to God’s handiwork. I’d never seen nature so glorious.
It made me think about how Jesus has made us beautiful. Because of His birth, death, and resurrection, we are beautiful in God’s sight; our ugliness, failures, sin, rebellion, and guilt are covered by Him. Grace is the splendid crystal apparel we wear. He has clothed us in garments of salvation and robes of righteousness (see Isaiah 61:10).
“Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace” (Jerry Bridges, 1994). That will never change. He has washed away your sin and guilt; you are beautiful, acceptable, sparkling like crystal in the sight of God!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rev. Curry M. Pikkaart
Pastor Curry Pikkaart has been in ministry of one kind or another for more than 50 years. A believer for all his life, he heard the Lord’s call to ministry when he was a college freshman. He has felt humbled and blessed over the years to be a part of so many different ways to encourage others, to teach the Word of God, and to share the gospel. He and his wife Barbara live in Byron Center, Michigan, and cherish all the time they can fit in with their eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
It made me think about how Jesus has made us beautiful. Because of His birth, death, and resurrection, we are beautiful in God’s sight; our ugliness, failures, sin, rebellion, and guilt are covered by Him. Grace is the splendid crystal apparel we wear. He has clothed us in garments of salvation and robes of righteousness (see Isaiah 61:10).
“Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace” (Jerry Bridges, 1994). That will never change. He has washed away your sin and guilt; you are beautiful, acceptable, sparkling like crystal in the sight of God!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rev. Curry M. Pikkaart
Pastor Curry Pikkaart has been in ministry of one kind or another for more than 50 years. A believer for all his life, he heard the Lord’s call to ministry when he was a college freshman. He has felt humbled and blessed over the years to be a part of so many different ways to encourage others, to teach the Word of God, and to share the gospel. He and his wife Barbara live in Byron Center, Michigan, and cherish all the time they can fit in with their eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Scripture Focus
Isaiah 61
Insight
“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Bible In A Year
- Isaiah 43-44
- Psalm 92
- Acts 15