“To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for His own glory.” Isaiah 61:3

Fire Lilies

One of the things I am so grateful for on our unexpected journey is how God continually brings good into my life in the midst of difficult circumstances. He truly gives “beauty for ashes.” I think I see it pretty much on a daily basis in some way—both large and small. I’ve learned to look for it because He has been so faithful in bringing good.

We recently had some fires near the town of George here in South Africa. The fires were bad. Several people were killed, homes were lost, and over 40,000 acres of land were destroyed. Someone sent me a picture of the aftermath in one of the destroyed areas.

These beautiful red flower blooms, called “fire lilies,” have sprouted up among the ashes. They only grow where everything else has been burned down.These ones sprouted up within just a few days of the devastating fire. As soon as I saw this, I thought, “This is what God does in our lives.”

We think everything is destroyed. We feel the “ashes” in our lives because of the trials and suffering that we go through. We can struggle with feelings of hopelessness. And then God brings beauty into our lives that can only come in the midst of the ashes. Wow! So amazing. Such an awesome God.

“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

The unexpected journey we’re on has had lots of “ashes.” But it’s also been filled with the goodness, mercy, grace, and strength of the Lord. He has brought beauty into the pain and suffering, as only He can do! I’m so grateful for the “fire lilies” He has brought into our journey.

“Our great God, You are faithful to bring beauty when it seems everything else is gone. Today, we pray for those who are grieving great loss. Would you bring them a special beauty to replace those beloved things they had to let go? Thank You for Your tender mercies and deep compassion for us. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.”