Isaiah 61 is the exaltation of the afflicted. This book of the Bible is the word of the Lord declared by the prophet Isaiah. If ever we needed to be exalted from affliction, it is now. Affliction is great suffering. These times are perilous [dangerous, risky, grievous, threatening and serious] and it is in these times we need a savior. A savior is one who redeems, restores, delivers and rescues us. If these are the last days and times, we all must humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and declare this year, and at this time, this is the acceptable year of the Lord. The time in which we repent and pray for Jesus to be our one and only Lord and Savior. In doing so, we must also submit our body, mind, will, spirit, and soul to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Isaiah, the prophet, had the power of the Holy Spirit to teach and guide him in word and deed. We need the Holy Spirit to do the same for us and we won't have that until we accept Jesus and are baptized. After that, the Holy Spirit is given at the moment of salvation (Ephesians 1:13). Galatians 3:2 emphasizes this same truth, saying the sealing and indwelling of the Spirit took place at the time of believing. The Holy Spirit indwells believers permanently. The Holy Spirit is given to believers as a down payment, or verification of their future glorification in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 4:30).
We should be so completely yielded to the Holy Spirit that He can possess us fully and, in that sense, fill us. Romans 8:9 and Ephesians 1:13-14 states that He dwells within every believer, but He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30), and His activity within us can be quenched (1 Thessalonians 5:19). When we allow this to happen, we do not experience the fullness of the Spirit's working and His power in and through us.
Let's declare today to be the acceptable year of the Lord. Let's declare that although the times are perilous and dark, we will be like the Israelites and light will shine wherever we dwell according to Exodus 10:23.
