Last night I read the story of Jesus healing the blind man. It made me think of another account. Jesus touched a man’s eyes and asked what he saw. The man replied, “…I see men like trees walking…” Mark 8:24.

What do you see with your eyes? I am often reminded of Habakkuk 1:13. It says, “You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness…” What we see goes into our eye gate and enters our heart.

What we read, watch, and remember in our minds affects every aspect of our being. When you look into the closet of your mind what do you see? It is time to remember that at salvation we were clothed with a new garment.

Isaiah 64:6 says that all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags. Isaiah 61:10 says, “…for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness…”

Is the clothing in your memory still carrying the stain of another’s sin against you? If so, then it is time to forgive. Unforgiveness allows the stain to remain in our minds. The past cannot be changed. Our present attitude towards it can.

It is all through our thoughts. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he…” If you continue to believe that someone’s sin against you stained you for life, it is time to reckon it dead.

Jesus’ death on the cross paid for every sin done against us, as well as our own sins. Every believer has been fully forgiven. God’s word commands us to forgive AS we have been forgiven. With the same forgiveness we have received, we can fully and freely give it to the one who stained our garment. Does yours still hang in the closet of your past?

Years ago I went to a salad bar type restaurant on my lunch break. I had loaded up my plate and turned to go to my seat. The unexpected happened. The fellow across from me shook the mustard bottle. However the lid was not on tight. A big glob of bright yellow mustard landed on my pale pink cotton skirt.

He was mortified and I was shocked. I set my plate down and raced into the bathroom. Too late. The stain was permanent. When we sin against others, we leave a stain that can only be removed one way.

Ephesians 1:7 says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Jesus’ shed blood removes the stain. Nothing But The Blood of Jesus hymn, end of 2nd verse says, “For my cleansing this my plea: nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

1 Peter 1:7 says of our faith, “…though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” John 14:21 says that the Lord reveals Himself to those who love and obey His word.

God’s strategic and divinely orchestrated trials are tools in His hands. Think of Malachi 3:3 as your own life. It says, “He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.”

Let’s review righteousness. It is conformity to God’s will and ways in purpose, thought, and action. Our trials reveal the hidden dross that contaminates and weakens our faith. Things that are hidden from us, are wide open and exposed before the Lord.

1 Peter 1:8-9 says, “Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”

Here is the promise for the end of our faith. Jude verse 24 says, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.” The Amplified says, “…in triumphant joy and exultation (with unspeakable, ecstatic delight).”

Here is a challenge for us all during our trials. Hebrews 10:34 says, “…and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.” 

Are you singing, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through…” or are you bemoaning what was consumed in your fiery trial?

2 Samuel 6 was another record of King David as they brought the ark to Jerusalem. Verse 14 says, “Then David danced before the Lord with all his might…” Such an expression of extravagant joy. It literally means spinning around. 

David’s heart was all in. In Psalm 86:12 David wrote, “I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore.”

Here is part of a new song called Extravagant Oil of Joy. With joy I lift my heart in song. A song that flows through me like a river. A song that cascades and rushes to be expressed. In pure worship knowing Your joy as You behold me. 

O the wonder. The marvelous wonder and awe. All my sins are cleansed in the power of Your blood. Let my joy be a fragrance that delights Your heart O God. An extravagant oil poured upon Your feet in worship.