Standing Tall in God's Favor

January 23, 2008

By Greg Ebie

Several years ago I cut down a large bush growing in the center of our backyard. To my surprise I found a maple tree was growing up right in the middle of that bush. The trunk of the maple was curved and misshapen from growing up entangled among the many branches of the bush. I decided to give the tree a chance and see how it would develop now that it had been set free. Today that maple tree stands about 18 feet tall and the trunk is almost perfectly straight. It has become a beautiful tree.

I can only imagine what might have happened to that tree if it had continued to grow up with the bush that held it captive. By now it may have outgrown the bush, which stood about 10 feet tall when I cut it down, but would the maple tree have developed the strong and hearty branches it has today? Would the trunk have straightened itself as it has? Most likely the bush would have continued to restrict the maple, further deforming its shape by choking the life out of it.

Isaiah 61 opens with words familiar to many of us. Jesus read from this passage in the synagogue: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor" (Luke 4:18,19, NIV).

Jesus "rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, 'Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing' " (Luke 4:20,21).

Jesus made it clear as He read Isaiah's prophecy that He had come to release those held captive, to give sight to the blind, to bring freedom to the oppressed, to make known the year of God's favor and grace.

Jesus read just the first two verses of chapter 61. I find it interesting to see what the Lord spoke through Isaiah revealing what God would do with those who were set free during this time of the Lord's favor.

"They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor" (Isaiah 61:3).

God has set us free to stand tall and strong. This is not so people will be impressed with us, but that they might know the Lord who has planted us. God gets all the glory. Like my maple tree, as we grow strong in the Lord, others will take notice of the change. God has set you free; now grow tall and straight for all to see and find a cool place to rest in the favor of the Lord.

-- D. Greg Ebie is senior pastor of Praise Assembly of God in Garrettsville, Ohio, and an author of Daily Bread devotionals.