Adar, the sixth month in the Jewish civil calendar and the twelfth month of the religious calendar, is known as the month of joy. “When Adar arrives, we increase our joy, to welcome a season of miracles.” say the Sages.
Haman plotted to destroy the Jews during this month of Adar. However, as we know, God showed up once again to rescue the Jews from annihilation. As a reminder of the salvation of God the Jewish people celebrate the Purim festival to this day.
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Even though the story never reveals God’s Name as the one who set them free, we know that God worked in the unseen. The miracle still took place, and it was God who orchestrated it.
God loves justice and his covenant with His people will always remain in force. He will always make a way for us to walk in salvation. Jesus Christ made a way for us to live in the freedom of His salvation, but sometimes we do not walk in the fullness of the freedom. Search your heart and ask Holy Spirit to reveal to you where in your life you are not walking in full freedom?
You have loved righteousness (virtue, morality, justice) and hated wickedness; Therefore God, your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the Oil of Jubilation. All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes and cassia; From ivory palaces stringed instruments have made You glad. Psalm 45:7-8.
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I remember a time where my world was very chaotic. I did not know whether I was coming or going, or what the best choice for my next season would be.
While sitting in front of the mirror putting on my makeup for the day, I pondered on my situation and was talking to God about my life, when I heard Holy Spirit say to me: “There’s freedom in chaos”. I repeated it a couple of times not fully understanding what Holy Spirit meant.
I went to work and later that night as I was meditating on it, I had a vision of the doves in the middle of the streets of France eating whatever crumbs they could find. As people would walk through them, they would all, at once take flight. In a moment they go from being on the ground – to being elevated in mid-air. To the human eye this can be very chaotic, however the birds are free. In a moment all of them rose above the danger they were facing on the ground.
I realized in that moment that it was my own perception of my world that kept me bound in the chaos I was feeling. But when I realize that in a moment I can be elevated, above my experiences, because of the freedom I have in Christ – then joy comes swiftly and freedom follows.
The Jewish view is to see that chaos and order in fact do co-exist, and that each one has a purpose. We are meant to meet the challenges presented by life’s hard side, and to find inspiration in the beauty and joy that we see just as readily when our eyes are open. Our perception and our belief in the lie cause us to erroneously see chaos as a place of being stuck.
YOUR PORTION
God opens the gates wide enough to give us a message that can sustain us when things seem hopeless. The message is: “I am here now, as I have been all along, and I will always be here for you. Not just when the sea splits, or when My presence overwhelms you, but when you elect to choose to see Me.”
The oil of Joy ingredients
- Myrrh – Bitter but valuable, also part of crucifying our flesh.
- Aloes – Also known as Agarwood represents maturity and obedience.
- Cassia – Represents humbling and stripping.
When we look at the meaning of three oils, we see that they represent to lay down our feelings and emotions. To not be led by what we are feeling, or our perception of what we are going through, but to become mature Sons of God led by the Spirit of God, and to allow Truth to be our guide.
And do not be worried, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and your stronghold.” Nehemiah 8:10
It’s through joy that we find strength, God’s strength – not our own.
During this time be intentional in choosing joy and watch how your vision increases, you will see better, hear better, feel better and move stronger! Let us increase.
JOY Blessings
