Devotional: Oh Happy Day!

Oh Happy Day!

Oh happy day! Have you ever had a moment in time when your heart was so full of joy that everything in comparison just faded out of view? When, at the end of the day, you couldn't do anything else but smile as you reflected on the awe of what happened?

In 2004, all 276 members of Oprah's studio audience had a moment like that. Every person, whether related or not, received keys to a brand-new car. Reporters said the place erupted as people yelled, cried, screamed, sat down in disbelief, or jumped for joy! They were in awe of the magnitude of the gift they had received. I'm sure in some form or another they said, "Oh happy day!"

Prior to this give-away, Oprah had instructed her staff to find those who were deserving. They reported back to her that 57 people who desperately needed a car were found, but they were short of filling the entire studio with those who met the qualifications. She agreed to go ahead with the give-away.

Oprah's desire to find those who were deserving was very noble. To qualify for something means you must have proper or necessary characteristics or requirements first. I am reminded of Colossians 1:12, which says we should give "...thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light." In other words, it's the exact opposite of being deserving. We didn't meet the qualifications, so we had to be "qualified" by some other means.

God had a desire to restore mankind. They were buried under the heavy weight of sin with no means to help themselves. So, with great generosity, God gave His Son to the world as the perfect offering... the perfect gift. "So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that great, perfect sanctuary in heaven, not made by human hands and not part of this created world. Once for all time, He took blood into that Most Holy Place, but not the blood of goats and calves. He took His own blood, and with it He secured our salvation forever. Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could [temporarily] cleanse people from defilement. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify your hearts from deeds that lead to death so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered Himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is why He is the One who mediates the new covenant between God and people, so that all who are invited can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised to them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed" (Hebrews 9:11-15, NLT).

The writer of Hebrews said, "...so that all who were invited can receive..." Deserving or not, those who were invited to Oprah's big give-away walked away with a brand-new car. How much more have we received in Christ? Can you picture a studio audience who has just been told that under their chairs is a box holding the keys to eternal life? At the revelation that they were freed from the punishment of their sins, the place would erupt (wouldn't it?)! In disbelief, some might yell in exuberant joy, while others might simply weep at the thought. Others might sit down in awe of what they have received, attempting to understand it all, while still others might rejoice like winners after the greatest victory of all time.

Oh happy day! One translation of Hebrews says Christ "...entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption" (9:12). Eternal redemption means permanent deliverance. And I like the wording "once for all." Jesus will not have to die a second time. He went to the cross once. And He did it for all. Deserving or not, He "qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saint in the light." He made us fit to receive and take part in everything God has for us.

Forget the car. There is nothing that could compare to the gift of eternal redemption. Nothing. In light of the revelation of this great gift, everything else fades in comparison. I can hear the sound of those who have received: "Oh happy day! Happy day! He washed my sins away! Oh happy day, happy day! I'll never be the same!"