The Oil of Joy

   Frank  Sinatra once sang a cute song about an ant. 

Some of the words were, best I can recall;

   "Everyone knows an ant can't, fell a rubber tree plant.
But he had high hopes, he had high hopes. He had high apple pie in the sky hopes. 
   So if you're feelin' low, don't know where to go, just remember an ant can't, fell a rubber tree plant.
   But don't be givin' in, one day you will win, just remember that ant,
Oops there goes another rubber tree plant."

   The Word says to us "Don't be weary in well doing, for in due season, you will reap if you faint not."

   We have need of patience, not ours but the Lord's. It's His life, His character, His endurance that far surpasses ours that we need.
Hebrews 12:1-4 gives us a glimpse of the incredible suffering that Jesus endured for us so He could endow us with HIS PATIENCE and ENDURANCE. 

  "Wherefore seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
vs. 2 Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him ENDURED THE CROSS (where all hell came against Him), despising the shame, and is (now for us) set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
vs. 3 For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest you be weary and faint in your minds (at your pitifully few troubles compared to His)
vs. 4 (Amplified) You have not struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your own blood."

   We all know the old adages, "Keep on keeping on. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Never quit. When life throws you lemons, make lemonade."
   I happen to like the new ones (that never grow old).
"God will strengthen you, yes He will help you." "God will strengthen His people." "The Lord is an ever present help in time of trouble." "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

   By faith, we ARE more than overcomers (over sin, satan, sickness, sadness, and all evil). 
   The Glory of the Lord is our inheritance and God is about to be glorified through His believers  as never before. 

   God is about to turn our sackcloth (our fear, weakness and doubt) into joy [the oil of joy for mourning]. "Rejoice I will always be with you." "Now thanks be to God which ALWAYS causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus."

   God said "The Joy of the Lord IS my strength."
Believe it and receive it by faith.