The Lord’s “Swap Meet”

“…beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” —Isaiah 61:3

Growing up I remember my parents taking me to a “swap meet.” It is like a flea market where people gather to either sell stuff, barter for things, or trade one item for another.

In today’s text we find the Lord making three “swaps.” Although Isaiah 61 is about the millennial reign of Christ, we can make a spiritual application for us today.

First, “…beauty for ashes…”  Before I became a Christian my life was nothing but a heap of ashes.  But when I got saved the Lord took those ashes and began to make something beautiful (Eccl. 3:11). One day, I will be made into His likeness.

Second, “…the oil of joy for mourning…” Salvation begins when we mourn about out sin (repentance) and trust Christ to save us. Then our mourning is turned to “the oil of joy.”  While a Christian may have nights of sorrow, joy will come in the morning!

Third, “… the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…”  Before I was saved, I was clothed in filthy rags (Isa. 64:6). “The spirit of heaviness”  was upon me.  I traded my heaviness for praise because He saved my soul! “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isa. 61:10).

Here are a few other things we should “swap”—

• Swap hell for heaven.
• Swap defeat for victory (1 John 5:4). It’s time you quit begging God for the victory, and claim the victory that is already given us in Christ.
• Swap worry for peace (Ps. 55:22; Phil. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:7). You can either enjoy the ride, trusting the Driver, or you can be terrified every step of the way.  Many of the things we worry about do not happen; and those that do fall into two categories: those I have power over, and those I don’t.  I might as well let go of those I cannot control, and change the things I can – leaving it all in God’s hands.
• Swap your will for God’s will (Eph 5:17; Lu 22:42). Trust God. He knows what’s best and what will make you happy in the long run.
• Swap gossip for prayer (Pr 18:8; 20:19; 26:20-22). You can talk about me all that you please; I’ll talk about you down on my knees.

Are there some things you’d like to swap for something better?  The Lord invites you, “Let’s make a Deal!”