*[[Isa 61:1-4/KJV]]*
1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 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.
4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
*[[Neh 4:1-2/KJV]]*
1But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
2 And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?
The church speaks about overcoming the flesh, the world, and the devil. They speak about Jesus promises to the overcomer and warn of the fate of those who don't.
So where does that leave those who understand Paul saying wretched man that I am who will deliver me from this body of death, or he who commits sin is a slave to sin?
Consider the people of God who had lost everything because they went their own way and would not keep God in their heart. I am speaking of Israel and the Babylonian captivity. They had lost everything homes, families, their beautiful nation, even the temple of the one true God.
They had not desired Gods ways when Jeremiah had called for their repentance, they had not desired God when his glory left, nor when they and their children where taken captive; such is the power of the flesh and deception.
In time like the prodigal son they came to themselves and desired to return. What they found was the consequence of their sin.
If you have made your life to look like that broken city filled with rubble and burnt stones then be of good cheer!!! Jesus has encouraged us if we believe in God believe also in him.
It is his anointing from God to give us beauty for ashes, joy for mourning,and praise for heaviness and he will not fail. So give your waste to him, don't try to fix things yourself, entrust him to not just take what you give but to give in return what God has ordained him to give.
As Peter has said cast your cares on him for he cares for you.
