Joy In MourningSpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: The Lord will clothe us with the oil of joy for our mourning in life. Beloved! In this wicked world we are battered by problems in life. Jesus Christ Who has traversed this path will strengthen us with the oil of joy to overcome them. The Psalmist David says, “I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of my heart” (Psalm 38:8).
In the Bible Psalmist David said, “For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. I am troubled, I am bowed greatly; I go mourning all the day long” (Psalm 38:4,6). David was greatly troubled by his sins and confessed them to the Lord Who forgave him (David).
Likewise, when we confess our sins to the Lord, He will forgive us and clothe us with the oil of joy. He put an end to the anguish caused by sins by suffering for us on the cross that we might live in righteousness (1 Peter 2:24).
There lived a lady who launched a self employment scheme for unmarried women in her village. She started a tailoring course in which many women joined in it. After the course got over, the women thanked the good hearted lady from the bottom of their hearts and left to start out on their own. One woman however was very reluctant to leave the place. She told the good lady, “Madam, I am from a very poor family. Since there was no income to maintain the family and as no one was earning at home, I was forced into prostitution to be the bread-winner. We were able to maintain the family all these days only with the money I earned. If I go back home, I will again be forced to earn for the family in this sinful way. After coming over to this place, I confessed my sins to the Lord Who forgave me instantly. He has given me a pure heart and the joy of having been redeemed by Him. I do not want to lose this divine joy. Please do not send me back to my place.”
Beloved! Lord Jesus Christ knows the gloom that is caused by our sinful life. But when we seek His forgiveness, He forgives us and clothes us with the oil of joy.
“To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified” (Isaiah 61: 3).
It will prove to be the oil of redemption for us. The Lord shall strengthen us with this oil of joy.
Prayer:
Loving Lord Jesus,
I cry out to You to forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your blood and clothe me with Your oil of joy. Strengthen me with Your oil of joy to overcome the problems in my life. Lord, I am awestruck by Your love for me. I praise and thank You for You delight in clothing me with Your garment of praise and that You are glorified in me. Help me to live a life that pleases You. I give You all glory, honour and praise.
Amen.
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