Isaiah 61:4 English Standard Version (ESV) They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

Psalm 22:19 English Standard Version (ESV) But you, O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!

These two scriptures are only connected because of how I feel personally. Verse 3 was so full, such a blessing, with so much light shining upon it, that verse 4 left me wandering in the dark. I had no help in seeing the relevant passages that would explain what ancient ruins were destroyed and the many generations that I was not a party to in their experiences.

Help me Lord!

My flesh wants to say this is related to Nehemiah.

Nehemiah 1:4 English Standard Version

Nehemiah’s Prayer

⁴ As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

These are words of wisdom that apply to me today. When at a loss for words, take it to heart, fast and pray. The issue of days indicates that I should not expect instant results and to wait on the Lord.

What I could do is what many do in exactly this situation. They go to the commentaries and see what others have gleaned out of the scriptures. It is a reasonable approach when we are in a time crunch, when speed is an issue.

What is personal here for anyone is for them to search their own hearts and to ask Father God.

Will my insistence to push for an answer put me in danger of becoming anyone’s answer man? Will that cause anyone to lean on me rather than the Lord? I have no desire to replace His voice with mine.

If any should choose to go to the commentaries, feel free to do so, and may God bless you.

Isaiah 61:3 English Standard Version (ESV) to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.^{[that he may display his beauty]}

Sometimes one passage has so much richness in it that one post cannot cover it. This is a good example of God’s rich blessings to those who believe. We pick up the mantle one more time with oaks of righteousness.

Psalm 1:3 English Standard Version (ESV) He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Comparing man to trees is listed several times in scripture. It was placed in the first psalm with purpose and is connected to our planting. A stream is an unending supply, the water is the evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit, as is the fruits of the spirit.

Romans 8:1 English Standard Version (ESV) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.^[a]

Footnotes ^[a] Some manuscripts add who walk not according to the flesh (but according to the Spirit)

That He ^[Christ] may be glorified.^{[that he may display his beauty]}

Is there any blessing that man can receive that is greater than being planted in Christ?

This takes me back to that part of Isaiah 61:3 in replacing the faint spirit.

Psalm 27:13 King James Version (KJV) I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Here I prefer the KJV as the language draws us into remembrance by the Holy Spirit of the connectivity of the scriptures and how they help us understand God’s intentions.