Jan 16, 2019
The citizens of the kingdom represent the character and nature of the king.
In a kingdom, a King is represented by his people (kingdom citizens). For example if a foreigner comes to the kingdom and sees the citizens happy, working, living in abundance, taking care of each other, clean and cared for land. What that foreigner is seeing is the character of the king. His rule, his aim, his will for the people is clearly displayed. Now if this foreigner comes into the kingdom territory and the citizens look oppressed, depressed, the land looks ravished, the people look poor, their state reflects the rule, aim and will of the king.
Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. (this statement starts with a herald proclaiming the WILL OF THE KING. He says, “I have been sent by the king, who has given me the power and the authority to speak his very words, as if he himself were speaking to you, so listen closely.”) He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted ( “all of you who are broke down, jacked up, please make a line right here, because I am going to bind your hearts.”), to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners ( “Everyone who are slaves, you are now free. Everyone one who has been imprisoned by darkness, you are free, come on out.”), to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God (My people this is the time of God’s favor. The true king has reclaimed what was lost. The Lord God has asserted vengeance on the oppressor who has oppressed you), to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – ( “my good people mourn no more. Come and receive what the king has sent me with, to give you”) 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 (“ you are not a slave anymore, you are now a child of the King. Brush off those ashes on your head because your crown belongs there. Here is the oil of joy to anoint yourself with because we don’t need any more mourning. Your spirit need not be depressed, oppressed any longer. Here is the kingly garment of praise. Oh, and this baby needs broke in, so feel free to dance.”) They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
God came and released us from darkness. He gave us brand new identities, the ones we were always meant for. There is a process that must take place, for you to experience this glory. You have to leave the old lifestyle. The way you think, feel, and act. You are no longer poor, your heart is no longer broken, you are no longer slaves or prisoners of darkness. You stand is the favor of God. Your enemy has been defeated. You have a crown now, so we must wash off the ashes. You have oil of joy to put on your head, our mourning days are over(while you were mourning you would not put oil on your head). This garment you have been given is no ordinary garment. It’s the garment of praise.
Picture it. We were in darkness, oppressed, imprisoned, broken, ashamed, helpless and hopeless. The God of all things walks right into the dungeon and grabs you by the had and lifts you off the ground. He dust you off, puts a crown of royalty on your head. Anoints your head with the oil of joy, and gives you are brand new priestly garment. Old identity gone. The new has come. Its from this identity that we are oaks of righteousness (one of the strongest trees on earth) that God himself planted. It is from this identity that God’s true splendor is displayed. If we sit outside in darkness, thinking, “God doesn’t like me” “there is nothing good in me”. Then we reject what God has intentionally taken action to provide for us. We live like a prisoner, even though the doors are wide open. There is a room in the palace with your name on it. There is a seat at the royal table. There are duties and responsibilities in the kingdom that require your attention and action. Throw off those grave clothes and come out! Arise and shine for your light has come! Those who have been set free are free indeed!