In some instances in life, we feel like we will never live
again. It is hard to breathe and all we want to do is to sleep. The grief and
devastation are so acute that they constantly prick our soul. We whither up
inside and we desire nothing more than to crawl into a hole and die. We resent
it when people reach out to us; yet, we also resent it when they fail to extend
their sympathy and help. There is a real temptation to withdraw from life and
to use our grief as an excuse. Nothing brings us joy, and all of our prayers
seem to bounce off the ceiling and mock us.
God has a plan and purpose for your life in this very
moment, as well as in all of the moments of your future. No person, place or
thing can give us more joy than our relationship with Jesus Christ (Philippians
3:8). If they do, then they are idols in our life. If the lack of some
person, place or thing robs you of the joy that Jesus provides by His presence
in your life, then that is also an idol in your life. God is a jealous God, and
He will not tolerate any idols before Him in our heart (Exodus
20:5, 34:14; Deuteronomy 6:15).
The goal is to come to the place in your walk with Him
where you can honestly say, “God’s love is enough. Period.” We need nothing else
this world has to offer, because we actually believe and live in the fact that
God’s love is all we need. Allow God’s Spirit to pour His oil of gladness over
your wounds to heal you (Isaiah 61:3). God has a future for you,
which does not include the people, the job or the circumstances, which you
lost. However, His future for you does include limitless hope and very special
promises (Jeremiah 29:11).
Biblical Saints lost everything they owned and loved; yet,
in their helpless state, God gave them the oil of gladness, because they loved
righteousness and hated wickedness (Psalm 45:7). Jesus
is our example. He loved righteousness and hated wickedness also, and He
received from God the oil of gladness in His life as well (Hebrews
1:9). The original word for gladness in these texts means to jump for joy
with exceeding excitement! Now that’s true happiness! God gives everyone the
oil of gladness (Isaiah 61:3).
Are you in mourning today? Receive the oil of gladness from
God’s Spirit within you. There is no calamity too great from which God’s Spirit
cannot deliver you, if you willingly surrender your will, plans and expectation
totally to Him and receive the plans that He has in store for you. I guarantee
that it will be greater than anything you could ever even imagine (Ephesians
3:20-21). Do you hate wickedness and love righteousness? Then,
receive the oil of gladness for your reward.
Prayer:
Father God, Jesus endured the cross because of the joy that
You set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). You gave His disciples Your joy
as well (Acts 13:52). Jesus shared Your truth with
His disciples, so their joy would be full (John 15:11). We also
receive joy as the fruit of Your Spirit. We thank You for this joy that
transcends our circumstances and lot in life. It causes us to make melody in
our heart to You (Ephesians 5:19). We serve you during our earthly
life with gladness (Psalm 100:2); and with gladness and rejoicing
we will enter Your presence when You are ready to call us home (Psalm
45:15). We look forward to dwelling with You in eternity. Thought for the Day:
Serve the Lord and you will receive His oil of gladness, which will cause you to come before His presence with rejoicing. – Psalm 100:2
