Jesus gave me…

“the oil of joy for mourning” (Isaiah 61:3 KJV)

Joy is the atmosphere of Heaven. Streets of gold are made for dancing not dragging your feet.

Delight pervades the air, and every atom sings praise to the one who made them.

Man’s last enemy, death, is dead in the dust. No more tears shed for sorrow, but an eternity’s worth for joy.

Mourning a memory, a long-forgotten shadow of a sinful world set free.

Heaven’s oil now drips from beard to skirt. Old things passed away and everything made new. This is the world we ache for.

“For all creation, gazing eagerly as if with outstretched neck, is waiting and longing to see the manifestation of the sons of God. … And more than that, we ourselves, though we possess the Spirit as a foretaste and pledge of the glorious future, yet we ourselves inwardly sigh, as we wait and long for open recognition as sons through the deliverance of our bodies.” (Romans 8:19–23 WEYMTH)

This is the dream we dream weeping as we imbibe the bitter waters of Babylon, longing for the clean rivers of Zion.

But that great day is coming. Soon, and very soon.

Zion’s joy will flood our soul and we’ll sing songs of deliverance done and Kingdom come!

This is the hope we carry. Mourn not for the man or woman crucified, your old unrenewed self. Nothing of the old life will pass through the gate of eternity, only that which has been redeemed.

This world and all its glory are like dung compared to the glory to be revealed.

“… what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him” (Philippians 3:7–9 KJV)