Noteworthy News: A Song to Sing

Happy Thursday, dear ones.

Normally, The Identity Project will feature a piece of current news or a person on Thursdays.  But this morning, as I was reading Scripture and praying about what to detail, God very intentionally spoke to my heart to relay the best news ever to have reached mankind.  Unlike other news that passes away and becomes out-of-date eventually, God's message for us never ceases to hold relevance and beauty.

I think Isaiah 61 gives us this news in its most beautiful, poetic, and freeing truth:


The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified...


...I will greatly rejoice in the LORD;
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

The Lord pursues you.  He calls you by name.  And He calls you out of darkness and into His marvelous light, all because He adores you.

Does anyone want freedom from bondage, worry, and fear?

Does anyone wish to be told day after day, "You are lovely.  You are my delight.  You are enough" ?

Are any of you tired, restless, and yearning for meaning in your life?

Do your hearts desire to find security in Someone who will never change their mind on you?

God says in Jeremiah:


...the LORD appeared to him from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
Again I will build you, and you shall be built,
O virgin Israel!
Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines
and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.
Again you shall plant vineyards
on the mountains of Samaria;
the planters shall plant
and shall enjoy the fruit.
(Jeremiah 31:3-5 ESV)

Because of the Lord's great and faithful love for us, we shall be fortified; adorned by His adoration; sent forth to act on His behalf with purpose; filled with deep, unwavering joy; given the Fruit of the Spirit to become more like Jesus; and provided righteousness for God's sake.

All of this is a gift for you.  All for you.  All by resting and saying Yes--no striving required.  This is noteworthy news today.

What will you do with it?