Planting & Standing

Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument],

And before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own];

I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations. Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me,

“Behold (hear Me), I have put My words in your mouth.

“See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms,

To uproot and break down,

To destroy and to overthrow,

To build and to plant.” The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see the branch of an almond tree.” Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am [actively] watching over My word to fulfill it.”

(Jeremiah 1:5,9-12) Empowered by the Spirit of the Lord and anointed by God. THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME (the Messiah),

BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR.

HE HAS SENT ME TO ANNOUNCE RELEASE (pardon, forgiveness) TO THE CAPTIVES,

AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,

TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy),

TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD [the day when salvation and the favor of God abound greatly. (Luke 4:18-19) The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,

Because the LORD has anointed and commissioned me

To bring good news to the humble and afflicted;

He has sent me to bind up [the wounds of] the brokenhearted,

To proclaim release [from confinement and condemnation] to the [physical and spiritual] captives

And freedom to prisoners,

To proclaim [a]the favorable year of the LORD,

And the day of vengeance and retribution of our God,

To comfort all who mourn,

To grant to those who mourn in Zion the following:

To give them a turban instead of dust [on their heads, a sign of mourning],

The oil of joy instead of mourning,

The garment [expressive] of praise instead of a disheartened spirit. So they will be called the trees of righteousness [strong and magnificent, distinguished for integrity, justice, and right standing with God],

The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:1-3) Standing on the word of God involves actively reading, studying and meditating on it daily; allowing its truths to shape our thoughts, words, and actions. We naturally trust in God's word even when facing whatever life may bring. Now brothers and sisters, let me remind you [once again] of the good news [of salvation] which I preached to you, which you welcomed and accepted and on which you stand [by faith]. By this faith you are saved [reborn from above--spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose], if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain [just superficially and without complete commitment. (1 Corinthians 15:1-2) You [believers], like living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture:

“BEHOLD, I AM LAYING IN ZION A CHOSEN STONE, A PRECIOUS (honored) CORNERSTONE,

AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] WILL NEVER BE DISAPPOINTED [in his expectations].” This precious value, then, is for you who believe [in Him as God’s only Son--the Source of salvation]; but for those who disbelieve,

“THE [very] STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED

HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE,” and,

“A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE”;

for they stumble because they disobey the word [of God], and to this they [who reject Him as Savior] were also appointed. (1 Peter 1:5-8)