Answers from God

Trevor S. Ferguson
October 25, 2010

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.

INTRODUCTION
Most people today can identify with the statement made by Job, that life is short and full of trouble.

Trouble of course comes with many questions: Why? Why me? What must I do? How can I make things better? Can I get over this? How do I make the most of a bad situation? Can I prevent future problems?

Today as we reflect on the passage from Isaiah, I will suggest some of the answers that God gives to common questions.

EXPOSITION
This passage from Isaiah is one of the Messianic prophesies. It was that passage chosen by Jesus as he announced his earthly ministry and can therefore be considered an appropriate passage to identify answers to common problems.

The passage highlights some of the answers that Jesus provides and suggests some approaches that we may adopt in order to minimize the effect of problems in our lives. These are listed below.

ANSWERS GIVEN IN ISAIAH 61 – Things Jesus will do
1. Bind up / Heal the broken-hearted
2. Proclaim liberty to persons held captive
3. Release from prison persons who are bound
4. Comfort those in the house of God who are mourning
5. Gives beauty instead of ashes
6. Gives the oil of joy for mourning
7. Gives the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness

ANSWERS GIVEN IN ISAIAH 61 – Things we must do
We must apply what Jesus offers to our lives:
1. Start loving again – if we desire recovery from a broken heart we must open ourselves and start loving again.
2. Loose yourself and let things flow – as Jesus said to the people at Lazaraus’ grave – Loose him and let him go. We must loose ourselves and allow God’s Spirit to flow and and release us from negative situations.
3. Make it your practice to have a joyful attitude – remember Psalm 100 (see below). Memorize it if necessary.
4. Practice abundant praise – Psalm 34 – I will bless the Lord at all times. Psalm 150 (see below).

CONCLUSION
Although we may face may trials and set back in life if we look to Jesus and His word we will find that Jesus provides answers to life’s toughest questions. Let’s trust him today!!!

Psalms 100:1-5 (KJV)
1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalms 34:1-10 (KJV)
1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.


Psalms 150:1-6 (KJV)
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.