GIVE ME OIL IN MY LAMP

“Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered.” Jonah 4:6–7

Many of us sang this simple prayer as children:

“Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning,
Give me oil in my lamp, I pray.”

It was a joyful song, but it carried a deep spiritual truth: we need God to keep our fire burning.

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Jonah enjoyed the comfort, the shade, and the relief—but it disappeared overnight.

That moment teaches us something powerful: earthly comfort can disappear quickly, but strength from God never does. Because life has a way of draining the oil from our lamps.

Sometimes the oil runs low because of stress.
Sometimes because of waiting.
Sometimes because of disappointment.
Sometimes because things we depended on suddenly disappear.

Jonah experienced this.

After preaching in Nineveh, Jonah went outside the city and sat under the hot sun. God caused a plant to grow and give him shade. Imagine the relief Jonah felt. The heat was intense, but suddenly there was comfort, rest, and protection.

But the next morning, the Bible says God allowed a worm to attack the plant. The shade disappeared. The sun returned. Jonah was once again exposed.

One day comfort… the next day discomfort.

One day shade… the next day heat.

That is often how life feels.

There are seasons when things seem to work well.
Business moves well.
Health is strong.
Doors open easily.

Then suddenly things change.

The shade disappears.

The job becomes difficult.
The finances slow down.
The waiting becomes longer than expected.

And in those moments, God teaches us something powerful:
our strength must not come from the shade, but from the Lord.

If our strength comes only from the plant, we will collapse when the plant dies. If our strength comes only from circumstances, we will fail when circumstances change. But when our strength comes from God, the lamp keeps burning even when the wind blows.

This is why the prayer of that little song matters so much. “Lord, give me oil.”

Oil in Scripture often represents the presence of God, the Spirit of God, and the strength that comes from Him. When God fills your lamp with oil:

• You can walk through hard seasons without losing hope.
• You can keep serving even when you feel tired.
• You can keep believing even when answers delay.
• You can keep shining even when darkness surrounds you.

Because the oil is not coming from your own strength. It is coming from God.

The truth is, every believer will face moments when the plant withers.

The promotion may delay.
The opportunity may disappear.
The support you expected may not come.

But the good news is this: God never intended the plant to be your source. The plant was temporary. But His presence is permanent. The shade may disappear, but the oil can still flow.

That is why every day we must come before God and pray:

“Lord, fill my lamp again.”

Fill my lamp when I feel weak.
Fill my lamp when I feel discouraged.
Fill my lamp when the journey feels long.

Because when God renews your oil, something amazing happens.Your light continues to shine.

People will look at your life and wonder,

• “How are you still standing?”
• How are you still hopeful?
• How are you still faithful?

And the answer will be simple:

The Lord gave me oil.

• The plant may wither.
• The sun may be hot.
• The season may be difficult.

But if God keeps pouring oil into your lamp, your fire will never go out. So today let that childhood song become your prayer again: “Lord, give me oil in my lamp… keep me burning.”

Burning with faith.
Burning with hope.
Burning with strength.

And no matter what season you pass through, your light will continue to shine.