The heart that passes through a long and prolonged mourning or sorrow is left parched, cracked like a desert. Like many tears leave the face parched and dry. Such was Israel’s heart and face. They couldn’t imagine a future. Yet, here comes a prophet of hope, promising a future and a joy, a joy like oil, able to outlast anything they face in life.
Your future is open, not closed. You must, though, first see the brutal facts while at the same time maintaining unwavering faith. If faith is the confidence of things hoped for, then joy is the strength to get there. But where can you find this kind of joy? In the “man of sorrows”. In him you will find a joy that the darkness can’t take from you.
The oil of joy restored Israel’s strength and they rebuilt the ruins. The oil of the joy of the Lord Jesus is your strength. It will restore you so you, too, can rebuild ruins.
5 minute sermon clip: