Isaiah 61:3 ‘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’.

DAILY READING Acts 21:37-22:29; Judges 17-18; Psalm 43

The first message ever passed through a telegram is the now now-famous first message, “What hath God wrought!”. This message was tapped out by Samuel Morse, the inventor of the telegraph, on May 24, 1844. It was then sent over an experimental 38-mile telegraph line between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland.

Samuel Morse’s invention of the telegraph, led the foundation for the long distance electronic communications we enjoy today. However his invention came as a result of a personal grief. Samuel Morse was born into a preacher’s home in New England. After his education at Yale, he was recognized in America as a gifted artist and was in much demand. After getting married, Morse became an itinerant artist, often traveling from New England to the Carolinas. In February 1825, after giving birth to their third child, his wife died. But Morse who was away working, did not receive the news until it was too late. Had there been a means of long distance communication he would have known about his wife’s condition before she died. When he returned back home, in his heartbreak he turned away from painting and began trying to develop a means of rapid communication over great distances. This eventually led to his discovery of the telegraph. The invention brought to Morse a life of wealth but he always gave the glory to God. Morse later remarried and had four more children and spent the rest of his life in philanthropy giving generously in support of Christian causes.

The truth is that in the game of life, everyone, at one time or the other has suffered some injury. But you can’t let your hurt be an excuse to quit playing. Sometimes you have to play even in the pain. Really, life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to soar even in the storm. Eventually every storm runs out of rain, just like the dark night turns into day.

If you’re going to become all God has created you to be, you can’t let setbacks stop you. You have to learn to let go of what didn’t work out and move on. You may get knocked down but don’t get knocked out. A knockdown becomes a knockout only when you stay down. No matter what life throws your way, get back up and keep moving forward.

Understand that God has a plan of bringing forth beauty out of the ashes. Out of the pain Samuel Morse suffered has come forth today the communication technology that has continued to bless humanity.

Isaiah 61:3 says ‘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’.

Many people are sitting on the sidelines of life, nursing their wounds, not moving forward because of what they’ve been through. But that is not your case as a child of God. You have a victorious destiny in Christ: You may be challenged, but you are not permitted to be defeated. Christ causes us to triumph always (2 Corinthians 2:14). This is why we praise Him even in the midst of our battles. Indeed when you turn your worry into worship, God will turn your battles into blessings.

In the scriptures, Job went through all kinds of tough times, but in the midst of his pain Job proclaimed, “I know my redeemer lives”. And in the end God brought full restoration and Job went on to live a blessed, happy life

Likewise let’s keep judging God faithful. And soon He will turn every situation of mourning into dancing for us.

PRAYER: Lord, I know with You nothing shall be impossible. Please help me to focus on your Word and to praise You always. I know that indeed, soon, everything will eventually work out for my good in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

It is only when you can see God in the light of who He truly is that you can begin to walk in the overflow of His blessings. – WORDBITE 222