Fast Day 8

Fast Day 8 - January 18

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” – Isaiah 61:1-3 (NKJV)

Jesus stood up in the synagogue and read this passage, declaring, to their amazement,
and to some, their consternation, that He was the fulfillment of this promise. Today, He
calls us to follow in His steps so we too can bring good news to the poor, freedom to
those trapped in the enemy’s bondage, and light into the darkness.

We are living in dark times. So many are hurting, both inside and outside the church. I
believe we are entering into a season of increased spiritual warfare, and as the church,
we must be prepared for battle. Now is the time to be dressed in our armor, at the ready
at all times, and to stand!

But as we see those who are struggling, or who are falling in battle, we can come
alongside and bring them beauty for their ashes, the oil of joy for their mourning, and
the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. We can be the Aarons and Hurs
holding up their weary hands when they no longer have the strength to do so for
themselves, ministering with tenderness and compassion until the battle is won (see
Exodus 17:8-13). We can be not only warriors on the battlefield, but also medics ready
to care for the wounded and hurting.

I think of the scene in C. S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, where the
power of the White Witch is finally beginning to break. And after years of it always being
winter but never Christmas, Father Christmas arrives in Narnia, bringing gifts. Among
the gifts, he gives Lucy both a dagger and a bottle of healing cordial. She has both a
weapon and a tool for healing, and she must use them both. I believe there is a truth in
that little scene. We are made for battle, and we are made to bring healing, as we read
in Isaiah 61.

Let us put on our armor daily, prepped and ready to do battle, both for ourselves and
for others, generously sharing from the abundance of what God has done for us with
those around us in need. Now is the time when the Body of Christ must rise, in all her
glory, armed and ready with all her gifts, first to drive back the enemy, and then to bring
healing to the wounded.

Prayer:
Father, use me today for Your glory. May I bring light into dark places, good news to
those who are spiritually bankrupt, healing those who are wounded and
brokenhearted, and freedom to those who are bound in sin’s chains. May I be a bringer
of beauty and joy and praise, as I point people to the foot of the cross, where You can do the work that only You can do! Thank You for allowing me to share in what You are
doing in the world around me. Give me eyes to see what You have for me to do today.
Give me ears to hear Your Spirit’s gentle whispers and help me to obey. Amen.

Debbie Ong
2nd Wave Leadership Team, Pearl City, HI