Beauty For Ashes
Thursday, December 11, 2025Key Verse
“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.” Isaiah 61:3
Text — Isaiah 61:1-4
Message
Throughout the Bible and ancient practice, ashes have often been the symbol of deep repentance and grief. The deeper truth that shines through every bit of our grief, and pain, and sin, is this, Christ came to set us free, to redeem us, and to bring hope. Christ came to bring the beauty from ashes. He is not willing that you remain in sin, pain, or sorrow.
There is beauty and greatness behind every mark of darkness. The ashes will fall away, they don’t stay forever, but His greatness and glory shine forever through every pain and trouble we have struggled with. Jesus conquered death, He lives forever, He reigns in glory. And we have victory through Him.
Be rest assured because Christ is greater than any enemy we may face in this life. We overcome because He has overcome and our lives are hidden in Christ. Put your trust in Christ and He will bring you healing, joy, comfort, peace and beauty.
Further Reading
Isaiah 60:20,21
Prayer for today
Lord Jesus, please turn my sorrow to joy and give me beauty for ashes instead of ashes.
About Author - Pastor W.F. Kumuyi
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
