pale imitation

Today in the One Year Bible, we read about imitations. You can listen to the OT reading HERE and the NT reading HERE.

The OT reading tells the children of Israel not to make the perfumed oil that Moses is instructed to use in the tabernacle, and use it for anything else. Don't imitate the holy thing, because that causes it to be profaned. Let the holy be holy.

And in the Psalm, we read about how delightful it is to be forgiven of our sins. And there really is nothing like it, is there? The Psalmist does a great job describing what it's like to be weighed down with sin. To feel its burden pushing us down away from God and joy.

But then we are commanded to be joyful! We HAVE been forgiven, and the realization of that forgiveness should bring us great joy. It is fascinating that on multiple occasions throughout the Bible, we are COMMANDED to rejoice! God WANTS us to be full of joy.

If you're not full of joy today, perhaps examine your conscience. If you find any sin weighing you down, confess it. And then ask for Him to fill you with His joy. Since He commands us to be joyful, we can count on Him to want the answer to that request to be yes.

There is nothing that compares to that forgiveness, and that joy. No pale imitation will do it justice.

God, thank You for teaching us about imitations. And for being so concerned about joy in our lives that you command it.