Oaks of Righteousness

“…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.” Isaiah 61:3

This verse is symbolic of The Year of Jubilee, which was the 50th year after 7 cycles of 7 sabbath years (49years). One aspect of it was that ALL debts were cancelled.

Rachelle and I had been married 7 years in July of 2014. It was the 7th day of the month, about 3:30 in the morning as I sat under a large oak tree along our fence line. I would always sit on my riding mower, because depending on how the moon and stars were positioned, and where the best breeze was blowing at the time, I could ALWAYS find my best spot to pray. Under this oak tree, at the highest elevation of our yard, was my favorite.

These first 7 years for Rachelle and I, we respectfully referred to them as our “wilderness years”, where God tested our Trust in Him. They were the hardest tests we’ve ever gone through, to date. But now we often tell family and friends those 7 years made us who we are today.

So, it was in this setting (of going through the hardest circumstances, with NO outlook of it ending anytime…for 7years and counting) that I was sitting under my favorite oak tree, early in the morning.

And I heard His Voice.

“What day is this?” Is all I heard.

Im thinking July 7, 2014. “No, today is the 7th day of the 7th month of the 7th year of your marriage. It is YOUR year of Jubilee. Your debt is cancelled.”

I was numb. The breeze that was always moving under this tree, suddenly was still. My heart was pounding out of my throat, as tears began to well up within me. I knew what that meant, because I was listening to the last 4 chapters of the book of Isaiah on my earbuds, the morning before.

And it was True.

That place and that moment, under that tree is forever a memorial of the Mercy of God in our lives. On that day, doors of Opportunity opened for us…we passed the tests, we passed through the wilderness!

We Trust In Him… and Only Him.