Scripture Reading: Proverbs 27:9
“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.” (Proverbs 27:9)
Millions of dollars are spent on perfume and ointments every year. Not only women, but men also, love good perfume. It is said that Cleopatra seduced both Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony through her perfumes.
For years we thought that men did not like perfumes. How mistaken we were! We should have known all along that they did. After all, that was why women wore perfume — it was because of the effect it had on men!
Men have always been attracted to perfumed ladies! Now men are wearing it to attract women, and it is working!
But putting all this aside, a precious perfume is derived from the oils and scent of flowers, plants, and leaves. It is “beautiful fragrance in a bottle.” Good perfume is costly because its base is that of tons of crushed flowers. When I was in South France I saw thousands of acres of roses, which are used for the making of attar, the essential oil that is used as a base for the making of the costly perfumes, for which France is famous.
Wise and encouraging counsel which “maketh the heart to rejoice” is the same way. It is very costly. Only the person who has been through the crushing himself, who has experienced the same devastating and painful experiences can truly counsel you in the hour of pain and grief. Therefore, let the Lord do a work of breaking and crushing in your life so that you can be as fragrant perfume to the souls of others.
The Bride says of her Beloved in the Song of Solomon, “Thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee” (Song of Solomon 1:3). Truly, His name, His beautiful Name, is as ointment. It brings healing and comfort. This is because of the crushing Jesus endured.
Because of the crushing and breaking He experienced, He can give us wise and healthy counsel. Through His own breaking, He qualifies to bring blessing, healing, and joy to the world. Let God break and crush you so that you, too, can give blessing, healing, and joy to others.
Gems of Wisdom by Gwen Shaw
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