There is a verse of Scripture in the book of Isaiah that I use so often. I use it to encourage myself and often use it to encourage others. It is Isaiah 61:3:
Isaiah 61:3To 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.
God is in the business of benefiting His people. Yesterday we spent some time in Isaiah chapter three, and in that chapter we find this:
Isaiah 3:10Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.
The first winners are the ones who choose to follow the Lord and seek those things which are good. While it is good and pleasant to know and spend time with such people, it is far more pleasant to be such people. Those who choose to be rough, coarse, and surly are the first losers. Such unhappiness it is to choose to live in such a condition. God in Christ has provided for us a way of change, a way of improvement. How unhappy are those who just reconcile themselves to the old ways of the flesh. Let me encourage you to pursue the perfections that are available to you in Christ.
