WORD TO THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY

You are My diamonds that have been hidden, but I am bringing you out to put you on display. Like diamonds, you have been through conditions of extreme heat and pressure, yet have held your heads high. For this reason I have hand-selected you to be cut and polished, for you are Kingdom warriors of the highest order. You will release the call to arms through the sound of your voice and the high praises worthy of the King of kings. These weapons are not carnal but are mighty to the pulling down of strongholds. Though often oppressed by man, you have not been forgotten by God. Just like Joseph, Daniel and Esther were held in captivity, I raised up each of them as deliverers for their generation. Therefore, do not despise the refining process, though it has been long. For you were created for such a time as this. Nothing that you have gone through will be wasted. My word says that the last shall be first, and so it shall be true for you. For the cries for justice have come before the high courts of heaven, and I am releasing My justice and restoration for you, My beautiful diamonds. Rejoice, because you will dance on injustice and pave the way on My highway of holiness. For surely you will shine like the stars and do great and mighty exploits for your King! So arise and shine, My people, for this is your season. You are being summoned by the King!

Isaiah 61 The Message (MSG) Announce Freedom to All Captives 1-7 The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, Announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners. God sent me to announce the year of his grace— a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies— and to comfort all who mourn, To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, Messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. Rename them “Oaks of Righteousness” planted by God to display his glory. They’ll rebuild the old ruins, raise a new city out of the wreckage. They’ll start over on the ruined cities, take the rubble left behind and make it new. You’ll hire outsiders to herd your flocks and foreigners to work your fields, But you’ll have the title “Priests of God,” honored as ministers of our God. You’ll feast on the bounty of nations, you’ll bask in their glory. Because you got a double dose of trouble and more than your share of contempt, Your inheritance in the land will be doubled and your joy go on forever. 8-9 “Because I, God, love fair dealing and hate thievery and crime, I’ll pay your wages on time and in full, and establish my eternal covenant with you. Your descendants will become well-known all over. Your children in foreign countries Will be recognized at once as the people I have blessed.” 10-11 I will sing for joy in God, explode in praise from deep in my soul! He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride a jeweled tiara. For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers, and as a garden cascades with blossoms, So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom and puts praise on display before the nations.