The Oil of the Spirit
Joel 2:28,29 Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. (NIV)
Have you ever been sunburnt? I remember as a child, a few times being burnt red-raw. And my mother would pour olive oil on my skin to soothe the pain. That oil, absolutely, was the most wonderful remedy.
So, over the last few days we’ve been following along with Israel at a time when, through their own sin, God visited a plague of locusts and a severe famine upon their land. It was terrible. But God’s purposes in our suffering are always – always! – redemptive.
So through the prophet Joel, he spoke of the good times to come if only His people would turn back to Him.
Joel 2:26,27 You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I, the LORD, am your God and there is no other.
But that’s not all … not by a long shot. Because there was an even greater blessing that God had planned for His people … that God still has planned for His people today:
Joel 2:28,29 Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. (NIV)
Friend, listen to me! When we choose to repent of our sins, when we earnestly turn back to God, He will pour His Spirit out on us like a healing balm – even upon the least of the least.
That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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