ISAIAH 61

Key Verse: Isaiah 61:6 “But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.”

Why are Christians dismayed and depressed when God has empowered and enthroned us with bountiful blessings?

1.  You Are Priests

V6 “But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: ...”

Exodus 28:43 “And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statue for ever unto him and his seed after him.”

Who are the Priests of the LORD? The Priests are the mediators between God and man. Aaron and his descendents were the chosen ones to serve in God’s holy tabernacle. Today, we are the Priests of God because the Lord Jesus had paid for the penalty of our sins by His death. We are now the Priests of God set apart to serve and worship Him.

Hebrews 7:26-27 “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this He did once, when He offered up Himself.”

2.  You Are Ministers

V6 “… men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.”

Do you know that Christians are Ministers of our God, just like we have the various Ministers in the government of our country? Indeed, Christians are chosen by God to be His Ministers in representing God in bringing peace, prosperity and progress in His Kingdom, just like the Ministers of our country representing our government in bringing peace, prosperity and progress for our nation.

3.  You Are Joy

V7 “For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.”

Not only God empowers you as His Priest and Minister but He also gives you everlasting joy!  So cheer up, keep your chin up and rejoice in the LORD always even in rough times!

Action of the Week

Rejoice always as you are the Priest, the Minister and the Everlasting Joy of God!