Memory Verse: For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. Isaiah 61:7 KJV

God’s heart is grieved when the souls of His servants are vexed. On several occasions, God has spoken to His children saying, “Be of good courage…” There are people and situations wherein you may think a person would not be able to stand strong, or forgive the source of their vexation. I am a witness, it is truly amazing what powerful change God can make in the heart.

Today’s reading highlights a hard subject. Such trials are prolonged with silence. It is the enemy’s will for people to live in agony, that they may rather implore death to come upon them. It is not of God.

If you are like me, you have both heard and read accounts of David’s daughter Tamar’s abuse at the hand of her brother Amnon. Most if not all of these expoundings have focused on the events preceding this violation of Tamar’s body. It is explained as a consequence of her father King David’s sin in effectually stealing the wife of Uriah by having him purposefully slain in battle. The plight of Tamar is all but avoided because it makes people uncomfortable.

Though Tamar’s situation was not known to all, it was no secret to everyone. Those who knew used their gifts of persuasion to convice Tamar to keep silent.

No matter to whom you do not speak, God hears even the groanings of your spirit that can not be uttered (Romans 8:26).

When asked how I find strength to share my story – which still brings tears, I am reminded always of Esther 4:14 (KJV)

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

God promises beauty for ashes and strength for fear. If you have suffered in silence, now hear this:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 KJV

When your heart is troubled, your soul labours over the situation that is vexing you. God’s rest is also called,”peace.” If you are looking for peace, look to God. In fact,what everyou are looking for, look to God first (Matthew 6:33). He promises double for your trouble…

Isaiah 61 (KJV)

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.

4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.

6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.

8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.

10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.