Unmerited Beauty

Rom. 8:^32-33 (GW) “God didn’t spare his own Son but handed him over to death for all of us. So he will also give us everything along with him. Who will accuse those whom God has chosen? God has approved of them.”

God wants to take away the ashes in your life, He wants to take away the ashes that you are addicted to and give you His beauty. Will you give it to Him? Some people are holding on to ashes because of addiction and some are holding on to ashes because of logic. How can I give up what I have for what I do not even know God wants to give me? God give me Your beauty first, then I will give you these ashes. God says, “No; give me your ashes because when you are holding on to ashes, you have no space for beauty.” You need to let go of the ashes so that beauty can come into your life. You are like, “How can I let go?”

God said to Abram, “Leave your father’s house, journey to a land that I will show you – ashes on your way to beauty.” [Gen.12:1 paraphrased]. Abraham could have said, “This does not make sense, Lord, take me there first. Let me visit the place first. Then once I survey the land, I will return and pack my things.” God does not work like that. This same ash of logic also applies to giving. God has placed in your heart the amount to give. But logic says it is unreasonable to give such a big amount. God says, “Give it because it is ashes compared to what I am about to release into your life.” Most times, we hold on to ashes because of logic. When you hold on to ashes because of logic, you are depriving yourself heavily.

Some hold on to their ashes because of addiction. Some hold on to their ashes because of logic. While others hold on to their ashes, this will shock you, simply because they want to improve it. The concept of giving God ashes and getting beauty does not really balance out in their minds. So, they want to become a little better and then come to God. In their mind, that gives them some leverage. God says even the best of your righteousness, by the time you put it beside God’s glory, will still be like filthy rags. So, just come, bring the ashes. They say, “But how can God just forgive me just like that?” God says, just bring the ashes! Here on earth, if you do not have any money in your bank account, no inflow, no deposits made, if you go to the ATM and speak in tongues, splash anointing oil on the ATM and enter the amount you desire, the bank on earth will reject your ashes; the ATM will reject the debit card and say “ashes”. But God is saying, bring that ashes debit card and put it in His ATM, and even though you have not made any deposit, even though you are not worthy, even though there is nothing you have done to deserve it, He is going to give you beauty in the Name of Jesus. Bring your ashes!

Are you going to hold on to the ashes, or are you going to let it go and experience a total turn around today? What is it going to be? The exchange of beauty for ashes begins with a relationship with God. Trade the ashes of sin, fear, disgrace, unbelief, logic, and addiction for His beauty.

Prayer: Father, according to Your Word, give me a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of gladness, and the garment of praise for Your Name’s sake, in Jesus Name. Amen!