Oil of Joy
Hebrews 1:9 is speaking of Jesus: "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." However the Lord shares his joy with us. John 15:10-11 says, "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 16:24: "Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete." In John 17 Jesus prayed for his disciples and said that he wanted us to have the full measure of his joy within us.
The dictionary definition of joy is "an emotion of great delight caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight, something or someone greatly valued or appreciated." This is what the Lord desires for us, that we would experience great delight in knowing Him.
I see a difference between joy and happiness. Happiness comes to us because of something that happens to us; joy is an emotion that can live within us despite what happens to us. Paul experienced and expressed great joy in spite of being a prisoner, enduring beatings and hardship. Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before him. Heb. 12:2.
This is what God desires for His people, that in spite of hardships, difficult times, and even times of sorrow that His joy will still abide in our hearts. Jesus quoted from Isaiah 63, applying it to himself. Part of this scripture says that he came to "appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. (Verse 3, King James Version)
We are approaching the Christmas season which is traditionally the season of joy. In these times it might be more stressful than joyous for some people; perhaps because of the economy or past experiences. I know that Christmas is going to be difficult for me this year because my husband is not here to experience it with me. But I am so thankful that in spite of difficulties and losses I still have the joy of the Lord and that He has promised to comfort those who mourn.
It's surprising how many verses there are in the Bible that speak of joy. A few more are Psa. 51:8: "You fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." The kingdom of heaven is of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. ( Rom. 14:17) and of course Gal.5:22 where joy is listed as a fruit of the Spirit.
Let the joy of the Lord be your strength this season (Neh.8:10). Circumstances do not have to affect your joy. The Lord will anoint you with the oil of joy, the same joy that He has.
Tomorrows Bible Reading - Esther 7-8, Obadiah 1, Hebrews 4-5
God is good all the time,
Naomi Brinkman
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