Finding Beauty from Ashes, Praise through Despair
[He will] provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:3
Mary was born into a dirty and crowded working-class district in Scotland in 1848. Her father sometimes threw her out on the streets when he arrived home drunk. And by age 14, she was working ten-hour shifts at the textile mill to support her family.
But God exchanged Mary Slessor’s misery for something better when she began working at a city mission in Dundee. While there, she was inspired to sail to West Africa as a missionary to Calabar. Mary was no richer in Africa than she had been in Scotland—in fact, she now made her home in a mud hut. Throughout her 39 years in Africa, she never married. She was not even always in good health: Malaria and boils plagued her.
Yet, despite the pain she suffered, God displayed his splendor through Mary and her work. She found joy in rescuing children from ritual murder. She discovered pleasure and purpose serving as a peacemaker with the Okoyong people. And she adopted a family.
“If anyone may testify as to the reality of his presence and power, it is surely this unworthy servant,” she wrote to a friend. “He and his Word are a living bright reality for sure … I mean to glorify him and to magnify his grace.”
The Israelites also had their share of misery. The Assyrians swept them from their homeland, destroying all they loved and everything familiar. However, their story, like Mary’s, didn’t end in misery. In fact, Isaiah predicted joy was ahead. God planned to exchange their mourning and despair for gladness and praise. Why? So that once rescued, God’s people would be living demonstrations of his splendor.
We each suffer our own miseries, and we think things will never change. Perhaps you’ve experienced burdensome memories, a scarring divorce or a difficult diagnosis. However, can you sense any hope? Can you see God at work, gradually transforming the pain into something you can endure? You never know; up ahead you just might see the possibility of joy.
Like the Jews in exile, and like Mary Slessor in Scotland, you can trust that, despite the present pain, God has plans for your future. He can use whatever you go through today to display his splendor through you tomorrow.
Reflect
How does this Isaiah 61:3 passage bring hope to your times of misery?
How might God be planning to display his splendor through your current difficult circumstance?
Drawn from a devotional in the NIV Women’s Devotional Bible.
NIV Women’s Devotional Bible
This Bible includes a full year of devotions written by women of God who offer inspiration, candid perspectives, and guidance. Includes a subject index to help you locate topics easily.
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This story about Mary really touched my heart. I’m not living like that, but yet, I’m suffering in some situations in my life. Seeing her life, I should be saying, thank you, Jesus, and not complaining.
May the God of hope rest on you, Amen.
Great devotional
This was very encouraging as I am in one of the hardest seasons in life.
The Lord will prove Himself faithful in your life. In the Lord, giving up is not an option. Rely on Him.
What an inspiring and touching story. Yes, I believe that there is only one God. God bless you.
I enjoy reading and equipping myself with God’s word so I can teach others and be an evangelist to lost souls. This study Bible can be of great help to me.
Boy oh boy, does the Lord ever know just what I need! And the timing? Thank you!
God is good. All the time.
This is a great devotion for both men and women. I’m going to suggest it for a friend who has a health problem.
Thank you for your message and encouragement. I would absolutely love a copy of this woman’s devotion Bible.
This resonates with me after a scarring divorce. I just woke up from my sleep and read it. I’m encouraged.
The Lord is with you. He is with you till the very end of time.
This is the exact word for me today. Thank you for sharing Mary’s story too. I pray this reaches many. God bless you.
Thank you for such an inspiring and uplifting devotional. The story of Mary resonates so deeply with me. As I was crying this morning in prayer due to heaviness and despair, I came across this message. I feel so encouraged now on knowing that I am not alone. We all have our fair share of difficulties and pain but God is with us. He carries us through it all and he has a plan for our future. I indeed believe as well that joy and praise will once again replace the despair and misery I am experiencing right now. God bless you, and thank you.
May your faith make you whole.
This is a really inspiring story. I would love for God to help me with resources needed so that I can open and manage an orphanage. I am really inspired to serve in this way.
This has been one of the greatest passage that I’ve read in a long time. Thank you for sharing.
I am walking in the valley of the shadow of death in my life right now, but I know for sure God is with me. He heard and answered my prayers before, I know He will do it again. My God will work it out, Amen
Thank you!! How did you know I was feeling unworthy and untrustworthy. It’s been eating at me all day!
Amen to that. I am in shambles today. Needed this.
Amen. Thank you for reminding me of the goodness of God. Sometimes I forget because of the problems I’m facing, but when I read this article, it reminds me about the Word of God in Isaiah 55:8-9, the ways of the Lord are higher than our own ways.