Beauty for Ashes

...to give unto them beauty for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning,
the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness...
Isaiah 61.3

How wondrous was the Lord’s visitation the other day
after that I responded
to what was a somewhat painful heart knocking
with which the Lord was seeking the opening of my heart.

Behold , I stand at the door, and knock :
if any man hear my voice, and open the door,
I will come in to him, and will sup with him,
and he with me.
Revelation 3.20

I came expectantly
and then seemingly there was nothing...
not as had so readily come of late
when I responded to spirit promptings by turning inward.

But then I persisted
and O what a loveliness...
what an inexpressible beauty I saw!
There are really no words for such favor-
for such a revelation of an aspect of God.

Beauty!

Yes! He gives it in exchange
for the ashes of my sacrifice.
For turning my gaze,
if ever so weakly, to look in his direction.

How lovely is his dwelling place!
How amiable are his tabernacles!
How glorious and wonderful
is his goodness to the sons of men,
even to as many as believe on his name

And so often it seems that it is in response
to his leading to just simply lift the head-
even that which the flesh is so loth to do.

Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors;
and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
even lift them up, ye everlasting doors;
and the King of glory shall come in.
PS Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.
Selah. Psalm 24.7-10