Essential Oil

I have friends and family who are very knowledgeable about essential oils and their benefits.  You probably do too.

But there is one oil that isn't sold and that is truly essential.  Find it in Isaiah 61:3 where, included in the list of all Jesus was anointed for, is this:  "to console the mourners in Zion - to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair.  So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD (Yahweh), that He may be glorified" (Berean Standard Version).

Nehemiah told the people, "...the joy of the Lord is your strength'" (Nehemiah 8:3,8-10). 

Plus, we all have the fruit of the Spirit, which includes joy (Galatians 5:22).

So, Jesus was anointed to give the oil of joy instead of mourning, we know that the joy of the Lord is our strength, and we have the fruit of joy in our spirits.  

So then why do we go around as morose, worried, depressed and sour as the rest of the world?.  What can we do to experience the joy that is actually ours?

I have a few suggestions.

First, recognize that God actually enjoys you.  In the midst of all his troubles, David wrote, "Let the LORD (Yahweh) be magnified, who has pleasure in the well-being of His servant" (Psalm 35:27).  Some of our lack of joy could come from the impression that God is displeased with us, but He actually takes pleasure in His people (Psalm 149:4) and rejoices over us (Zephaniah 3:17).

Second, realize that we have much more control over our emotions than we may think we have.  When Paul says, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice," we may think, "That's impossible!"  But when I check in my concordance for verses that instruct us to rejoice, to be glad, to exult even, the list is long.  Does God require of us what is impossible for us to do?  He is, of course, not that unreasonable.  So, let's choose to be glad.  "This is the day that the Lord has made; We will (we choose to) rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24).

Third, the Holy Spirit is our ever-present Helper.  So, ask for His help.  Ask for reminders about things to add to our thankfulness lists, and for the ability to see the beauty of God's creation and to notice His grace at work in whatever is happening around us.  Start the day with "Good morning, Father!  You are so good and faithful and lovely.  Thank You for this day."  And then end the day with a prayer of thankfulness for all that He has done, and all the ways He has protected and provided.  Of course, in the in-between hours, stop to send up expressions of gratitude as well.

May you make the decision to enjoy the God who enjoys you, and thus walk in that strength, and find yourself anointed with the precious essential oil of joy as you walk hand-in-hand with your God and your Saviour daily.