Oil of Joy

Ugandan Children's Choir

 "You love justice and hate evil. 

Therefore God, your God, has anointed you,

 pouring out the oil of joy on you

more than on anyone else. 

Ps. 45:7 

Jesus was given joy above any being and he has an abundance of joy to give.  His kingdom is full to overflowing with an abundance of joy and peace.  

He longs to share his joy with his people just as he said to Jerusalem,

"How often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me."  (Luke 13:34)

How he longs to bless us.  Jesus is in the business of transforming our lives.  We are very sad creatures indeed without his love and his spirit to lighten, lift and encourage us.  He wants to transform our darkness into light.  And he will do it.

When we are in a state of sadness, depression or anxiety we need his mercy and grace to help us.  We can call out to him for mercy and expect an answer in his time and in his way because he is our helper.  Let's not be like those in Jerusalem who were unwilling.  Let us open our hearts and believe that he will turn our mourning into joy. 

You are amazing, Lord. You are our deliverer.  Make us willing to receive all you have for us. In our times of sadness or despair, we cry out to you for help and mercy.  You are the one who can turn our sad days into dancing days taking off our mourning clothes and clothing us with the oil of gladness.  

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,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor,

 to 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. 

Is. 61:1-3