CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
DATE:TUESDAY, 11 JANUARY, 2019
TOPIC: HE HAD YOU IN MIND
TEXT: ISAIAH 61:1-3
1. The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2. To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3. To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
MEDITATION: The text today, is a prophetic declaration of the mission of Christ. In those three verses, we see a list of several works He was to do by the power of the Holy Spirit: to bind up the broken-hearted; to proclaim liberty to the captive; to declare the acceptable year of the Lord (the year of freedom from bondage of slavery by reason of Christ’s atonement).
Jubilee in Israel was celebrated one every fifty year (Leviticus 25: 8-13), but by the Messiah’s work of redemption, it is now a daily experience for those who will believe. Again, Christ’s ministry includes setting the prisoners free, comforting all that morn, replacing the spirit of heaviness with the oil of gladness, etc.
Which is your case? God had you in mind while sending Jesus. When Jesus came to this world, He read that passage in the temple (Luke 4: 18-20), and after that He said, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in you ears" (Luke 4: 21). The day you believe that word, the Spirit of God activates that prophecy for your good. Of all the listed works Christ was to do, God had you in mind while drawing that list. Believe and receive.
PRAYER: Lord, please attend to my case today.