No matter what mountain range you climb, the right gear is essential for a successful journey. In Isaiah 61 a prophecy was given of the coming Messiah. I encourage you to read all of chapter 61, but I wanted to highlight a few verses have impacted my life.

“He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners…to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning and splendid clothes instead of despair… (Isaiah 61: 1-3 HSCB). Jesus wants to clothe us, to give us the gear that we need to do Kingdom work here on earth.

Jesus knows that our road through life on this earth is saturated with opportunities for death, despair and mourning. But He gives us another option. We can cast off death, cast off despair and cast off our mourning. Each of these, He will replace with beauty, festive oil, and splendid clothes. He will replace our pain with His goodness. Are you geared up today? Are you ready to exchange with God all that is weighing you down?