Oil of Joy

         “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.”  Psalm 45:7 NLT.

         He has anointed me with the oil of joy.  What does that mean?  I broke it down with the Hebrew meanings for those three words.  (Courtesy of the Blue Letter Bible.)

• Anoint; to smear, spread a liquid, to rub with oil, to paint.
• Oil; fat, richness.
• Joy; gladness, cheerfulness, rejoicing.

         Our Abba has painted us.  Joyful paintings are beautiful paintings.  Our Father is the greatest artist there is.  He paints the sky.  His brush drips the dew on the grass of a crisp morning.  He sprinkles the snow on the mountaintops.  How much more will He paint the most beautiful creation of all in you?  He loves you so much and wants to paint the most beautiful painting on your canvas!! One of my favorite songs talks about how He is a masterful artist.

         Our Dad has made us fat and rich!  Yeah, yeah.  I know… Who wants to be “fat”?!  Being fat in our bodies is not healthy, and God wants us to be healthy.  But being fat in the spirit realm is good!  It means you’re eating more than just milk, you’re eating meat; ham, steak, even potatoes, and TATER TOT CASSEROLE!!!  Ask God, and He’ll give you all the yummy, good food when you’re ready!  “Ask, and you will receive…” Matthew 7:7.

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         Last, but not least, God made us cheerful and full of rejoicing.  In times of trouble, He is our reason to be cheerful.  In times of blessing, He is our reason to rejoice.  There is always a reason to be joyful; maybe not happy, but we can be joyful.

If you’re scratching your head at that, let me try to explain…

         Happy is an emotion you can feel in a moment.  You just got your driver’s license?  There’s a good chance you’re feeling happy, among other emotions such as, excitement, relief, giddiness, etc…  Your kid just took his first step!  I would imagine you’re very happy and proud!!

        Joy is a choice, not an emotion.  Maybe your mom just passed… You’re grieving your loss, but you’re joyful over the fact that she is in heaven with her Father.  Maybe your friend was diagnosed with cancer.  You don’t know what will happen to her, but you’re rejoicing over the fact that you know Jehovah Rapha—the God Who Heals.

        There’s always a reason to be joyful.  Especially when our Abba Father has painted us with a fat and rich gladness!