Yesterday’s verse and the fuller version from Isaiah 61 have been precious to me since 2000.

“Hear” it in its fullness:

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. 

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

To proclaim freedom from 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 to provide for those who grieve in Zion –

To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes

The oil of gladness 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.

They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated;

They will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations…

Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion,

And instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance…

All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed.

I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God.

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation

And arrayed me in a robe of righteousness…

As a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the soil makes the sprout come up

And a garden causes seeds to grow,

So the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise

Spring up before all nations.”

Who but You, Jesus?  Who but You?