Display of His splendor

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
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.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

I sit here in Joplin and my heart breaks for these families.  The stories are horrific, the brokenness is overwhelming.  But in Isaiah comes the promise that those who mourn, those in despair, and those who are brokenhearted will be restored.  They will be crowned in beauty, they will have joy, and they will praise God.  We don't see it now, but through all this devastation, God's glory will shine through.  He reigned in the past, He reigns in the present, He will reign forevermore.  When there is no more tears, no more pain, no more loss.  He will heal and He will restore.  And throughout everything, His splendor will be displayed.  He is on His throne.