He is Promised Garments of Praise

I often wonder how in the world I will be able to soothe the wounded heart of a little boy who has lost his whole world. Last night I came across a passage from the book of (none other than!) Isaiah that gave me such comfort, encouragement, and peace. The words I read in Isaiah remind me that it is Jesus who will heal my son's heart, not me. Yes, we will have to walk a road of indescribable grief with him, but God has promised our son that instead of a spirit of despair, he will have garments of praise! What words of astounding hope for his future are these for my new son!

1 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 for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, ^[a]

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

3 and 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.

Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV)