beauty for ashes.  ruins rebuilt.  strength for weakness.  He’s promised them.  and today, i remind Him of His words that are unfailing and unchanging.  i whisper to Him that i’m in a desperate need to see and experience them for myself.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me…
to grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion,
to give them an ornament of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit,
that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God],
the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
And they shall rebuild the ancient ruins;
they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.”