March 15 | Isaiah 61:1-3
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me because the Lord has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim to the captives, “Liberation,” and to those who are bound the opening of the prison, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of the vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a garMent of praise instead of a false spirit, the planting of the Lord that He may be glorified..”
(Isaiah 61:1–3)
Wind is a powerful force in nature. It comes in tornadoes and hurricanes, devastating land and property in its path. It can pick up the heaviest objects, houses clinging to the ground, and put them in another zip code. We underestimate its raw power to our peril.
Perhaps that’s why Jesus likened the Spirit to wind in John 3. He said the Holy Spirit is like the wind. We don’t see the wind, but we see its effects. In both Greek and Hebrew, wind and spirit are the same word. Jesus is making a play on words, but He was talking about the power of the Spirit.
Isaiah prophesies about the Spirit’s power when He comes upon us. He sets people free. We can’t do His work. He ministers through us. The Spirit speaks freedom and God’s favor on people. People on the fringe of society like the poor, prisoners, and oppressed God’s goodness to them. He moves powerfully through you on behalf of those around you.
Action Step: Thank the Holy Spirit for ministering through you in His power to those around you.
Holy Spirit, minister through me to those who need Your message of freedom and deliverance. Proclaim Your divine desires and plans for the oppressed around me. And if You will, use me.
