The Exchange I

Job 42:^5-6 “I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”

Sometimes, because we cannot see very far, we tend to argue with God. We look at our lives and we question God’s heart and His goodness. Why did You not do this and why did You not answer that prayer. If I were You, You know I would have answered these prayers. Job was in a similar situation but when God answered him, we can see Jobs realization in today’s scripture reference.  The truth is that when God shows you His plans for your life, like Job, you will say, “I am sorry Sir!” I pray that God will show you so that you can genuinely sit and repent before Him. There are many things that would happen to you that would appear like a setback, that will appear like you are written off. Listen, God is just setting you up for glory. However, most times we go through those situations and we question God. But God is saying, “I know the plans that I have for you, the plans of good and not of evil, to give you a hope and a future.” [Jer.29:11].

The ultimate beauty for ashes, at least for me, is when we are raptured and this earthly body changes to a heavenly body. I am so looking forward to it and I hope it happens in my lifetime. Imagine you are just walking and then the trumpet sound. Then this body that is prone to headaches, sickness, and to all sorts of attacks [for which we have to keep receiving healing], changes to the glorious body. What a day that will be! Even our loved ones that have gone to be with the Lord will be changed from their graves and they will resurrect. What a day that would be! It is something to look forward to. In fact, God wants us to look forward to it. If you are not looking forward to it then you need to realign. If you are not sure what will happen to you if rapture happens today, then you need to sort it out today. Do not put it off! You need to be sure because what is the point of having beauty for ashes in your finances? As God’s Word says, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul [Mark 8:36]?

God is trading His beauty for our ashes. What a bargain! He says, “Bring your ashes and I will give you My beauty!” God trading His beauty for our ashes and He is doing it in every area. We go through just a few. I will encourage you to locate beauty in God’s Word that speaks to whatever ashes situation in your life and take it to God in faith. I pray that God will exchange your ashes for His beauty in Jesus name. God is giving us Fruitfulness for barrenness. For everyone trusting God for a physical child, your child, your children are here, in the Name of Jesus. Please read 1 Sam.1:19-20. God will remember your plea and every heartfelt prayer, in the Name of Jesus. Samuel came from a story of ashes to beauty. For you, it may not be physical fruitlessness; it could be mental, or intellectual, or relational fruitlessness. God will give you beauty for ashes in the Name of Jesus. God will give you fruitfulness for barrenness, beauty for ashes.

Prayer: Father, I thank You for a crown of beauty for ashes. Thank You Jesus for giving me fruitfulness for barrenness. I am fruitful and I multiply, in Jesus Name. Amen!