The Oil of Joy for Mourning

A woman named Hannah had a rival who provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because she was barren. Year after year, her rival provoked Hannah to tears. Her husband tried to cheer her up by saying, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” [1]

A priest once mistook her sorrow for drunkenness. She told him, “I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink but have poured out my soul before the Lord." [2]

The priest said to her, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” [3]

In the process of time, Hannah bore a son. She called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the Lord.” [4]

Hannah praised God, saying, “No one is holy like the Lord, for there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.” [5]

And the Lord visited Hannah so that she bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the Lord. [6]

Don’t give up on the brink of a miracle. Hold onto God. “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” [7]

[1] 1 Samuel 1:7-8
[2] 1 Samuel 1:15
[3] 1 Samuel 1:17
[4] 1 Samuel 1:20
[5] 1 Samuel 2:2
[6] 1 Samuel 2:21
[7] 1 Corinthians 2:9

The Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness

A woman named Naomi, her husband and two sons relocated to another country due to a lack of food in her land. Naomi's two sons married natives of that nation. Then, her husband died. Then, her two sons died. Displaced, widowed, and bereaved of her sons, Naomi decided to move back to her hometown.

One of Naomi’s daughters-in-law, Ruth, chose to stay with her and even converted to faith in her God. Ruth worked hard to support herself and Naomi. She caught the eye of a man named Boaz. He married her. They had a son named Obed.

The women of Naomi's town said to her, “May he (your first grandson) be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” [2]

“The neighbor women gave him [the baby] a name, saying, 'There is a son born to Naomi.’ And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” [3]

I have not experienced all the losses that Naomi did, but I have experienced the blessing of becoming a grandfather. I cannot think of any better expression to describe the feeling than what Naomi’s neighbors said to her. God uses grandchildren to restore life and nourishment to me. I am also grateful to God for the children-in-love that He has given me.

Incidentally, Naomi’s grandson became the grandfather of a boy named David. That boy went onto to become the king of Israel. David wrote the majority of the Psalms in the Bible. David appointed three men named Heman, Asaph and Jeduthun to make the worship of God flourish in his nation. These three men had 24 sons between them who led worship. [4] Thanks to God, Naomi’s legacy included numerous worship leaders. Thanks to God, her life ended on a good note.

Our Heavenly Father gave Naomi the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. [4]

[1] Ruth 4:15
[2] Ruth 4:17
[3] 1 Chronicles 25:1-7
[4] Isaiah 61:3

The Power of Christ revealed in Paul

“In all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God:

In much patience,

In tribulations,

In needs,

in distresses,

In stripes,

In imprisonments,

In tumults,

In labors,

In sleeplessness,

In fasting;

By purity,

By knowledge,

By long-suffering,

By kindness,

By the Holy Spirit,

By sincere love,

By the word of truth,

By the power of God,

By armor of righteousness on the right and on the left,

By honor and dishonor,

By evil report and good report;

As deceivers,

And yet true;

As unknown, and yet well known;

As dying, and behold we live;

As chastened, and yet not killed;

As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;

As poor, yet making many rich;

As having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

[1]

That is quite a resumé!

Christ and His servant Paul loved people even when it hurt.

[1] 2 Corinthians 6:4-10

Waiting For Guidance From the Lord

In Jephthah’s days, his people were not walking with God. Jepththah was chased from home by his siblings. However, when they needed him, he helped them. He lost his only child as result of coming to their aid. After he helped them, some still criticized him. There was bloodshed. Lives were lost. His story raises questions for consideration.

When your family disowns you, should you resort to crime? Should you agree to help people who need you, but have previously hated you? What if the people you helped, came against you afterwards?

Below is a summary of Jephthah’s story from Judges 11-12.

Jephthah was a mighty man of valor…

but he was the son of a harlot

His stepbrothers drove him away…

Jephthah fled to the land of Tob

He became a leader of worthless men…

Robbers.

The Ammonites made war against Israel.

So, the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah,

“Come and be our commander…

Fight our enemies.”

Jephthah asked them, “Did you not hate me?

Did you not expel me from my father’s house?

Why have you come to me now when you are in distress?”

They replied, “Go with us and fight our enemies.

Be the leader of us all.”

Jephthah asked them, “If… the Lord delivers them to me…

I shall be your leader?”

“Yes,” they replied.

Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah.

He advanced toward the enemies.

He made a rash and unneeded vow to the Lord.

That vowed resulted in the death of his only child.

The Lord delivered the Ammonites into his hands.

He defeated twenty cities with a very great slaughter.

Thus, the enemies were subdued.

Then, some of his own people gathered against him.

They said to Jephthah,

“Why did you not call us to go with you [to war]?

We will burn your house down on you with fire!”

Jephthah fought against them…

He slew 42,000 of them.

Jephthah judged (led) Israel six years.

Then, he died and was buried.

What about Jesus? Christ came to His own, but His own received Him not. He did not resort to crime. He did not slay those who attacked Him. He chose to die for the sins of those who hated and mistreated Him.

What about those who enter Christian ministry? Is it possible that we too will experience some of what Jephthah and Christ experienced? When should you pull away from users and abusers? When should you persevere in rescuing them?

The answer can be found via Scripture reading, prayer, and by asking trusted fellow believers for advice. Some Scripture advocate for overcoming foes and others for forgiving and helping them. This is why prayer is important. The Holy Spirit does help God’s people to know which direction to go when the right path forward is unclear. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will give a Bible verse to guide you. Sometimes He will give peace to you when you are making the right decision. Sometimes He will take peace from you when you are about to make a bad decision. Other times, He will speak to you through godly friends who care about you more than they care about the right or wrong of a situation. The main point is not to make a rash decision as Jephthah did, but to wait on the Lord until you receive His guidance.

Filled & Overflowing with the Holy Spirit

“They were all FILLED with the HOLY SPIRIT, and they spoke the WORD of GOD with boldness.” [1]

“’He who believes in Me [Jesus], as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the SPIRIT, whom those believing in Him would receive...” [2]

[1] Acts 4:31
[2] John 7:38-39