" …to comfort all who mourn, to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be …
“ …to comfort all who mourn, to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
– Isaiah 61:2-3 NKJV
Life’s journey is marked by seasons – some filled with joy and others with sorrow. Even believers wrestle with the tough reality that difficult times come; questioning why challenges arise despite their faith. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that seasons of mourning are a part of life’s rhythms, the key is not in avoiding these seasons but in understanding that they are temporary, and God has provided a way to navigate them and that sometimes mourning happens, even in Zion.
From our opening scripture, we understand that mourning is not meant to be permanent; it is a season that can be turned around by the anointing. Associating the anointing with the Holy Spirit, the second verse in Isaiah 61 states that one of the blessings when the Spirit of the Lord is upon us is to bring comfort, especially for those who mourn in Zion. This is significant because Zion represents God’s people, in contemporary terms, Christians. Even for the righteous, difficult seasons arise.
In a miracle of divine exchange, the anointing restores joy and praise.
Therefore, if we receive the oil of gladness before the storm comes, we are prepared to stand strong, preventing sorrow from overwhelming us. Isaiah 61:2-3 shows us the advantage of carrying the oil before mourning arrives. A lamp filled with oil continues to shine even when darkness comes. Likewise, those who carry the oil of gladness will find that joy and strength sustain them even in the face of adversity.
The anointing instills hope in the heart of the believer. The anointing preserves us from long-term sorrow and ensures that we do not dwell in grief forever. In a miracle of divine exchange, the anointing restores joy and praise. God replaces the spirit of heaviness with a garment of praise.
We receive and maintain the flow of the oil of gladness when we remain in God’s presence through worship, prayer, and fervent devotion, which may also lead to fasting and seeking God deeply. A heart that desires God above worldly distractions remains filled with fresh anointing. Additionally, consistently choosing joy by declaring God’s promises -even in the face of contradictions- helps sustain us.
Today, we must examine the lamp of our souls to ensure we are carrying the oil of gladness so that even when sorrow lasts for a night, joy can come in the morning.
Song of Worship
He has made me glad, I am so glad
I will rejoice for He has made me glad.
Prayer – Lord, I receive the oil of gladness in my life today. Help me to remain filled with Your Spirit so that I may always have joy and strength, even in difficult seasons. Amen.
Bible in 1 year: 2 Chronicles 21-22; John 14
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