Compassion: 30 Days of HeartworkSample

Anointed for Mission

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. 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. 

HEART //

As today’s verse refers to Jesus, the Messiah, it also applies to us as sons and daughters of God. As a co-heir with Christ, He has anointed each of us individually for a specific mission. He has created us to bring His love and His hope to those who need it. Isaiah 61 says that His Spirit is on us. The Lord does not just give a mission and expect us to do it all on our own. He has given us His Spirit to empower us and gives us the strength and direction as we live out our mission. 

Pastor Charles Stanley famously said, “Earthly wisdom is doing what comes naturally. Godly wisdom is doing what the Holy Spirit compels us to do.” Dr. Stanley is affirmed by Acts 1:8, which says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

God has given us His Spirit so that we can be His witnesses to those who do not know Him. He has given us His Spirit so that we can be a part of freeing the oppressed. We are anointed by the Holy Spirit to live like Jesus did. He has commanded us to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) and He promises us that He will be with us always. We are not alone. We have the power of the Holy Spirit with us as we reach our hands out to the needy. We have the power of Christ as we spread His name to those who do not know Him. 

WORK //

What are some of the ways you sometimes defer to your own “earthly wisdom”?

Today, make a plan to talk to a mature believer whom you trust to ask them about how they live out this idea of depending on the Spirit for guidance. Ask a friend or mentor to pray with you that God will help you depend on the power of the Holy Spirit every day. 

Jesus said it was good for Him to leave so that the Holy Spirit would come to believers (John 16:7). What?? That’s really saying something about the incredible goodness of the Holy Spirit! Do you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you each day? Do you feel empowered by the Holy Spirit to live on-mission?