The Oil of Gladness
I like the poetry of the Psalms because there are so many word pictures painted by the psalmists. Wouldn't it be wonderful, if we could go to the store and buy some oil of gladness? Then, when we needed a lift in our spirits, we could just pour it on or rub it on, and immediately, we would be glad. Life doesn't work that way. There is no oil of gladness at the store, but there is an oil of gladness from the Lord.(Psalm 45:6,7) We all need to know how to be anointed with the oil of gladness.
These verses refer to Jesus specifically, but I believe they contain a principle for all of us, so that we can have what He had from the Father. The truth is that God's kingdom is forever, and it is a kingdom of righteousness. God's scepter is used to work righteousness, never evil. His will is for us to do His will on earth, as it is done in heaven. Then, His kingdom is spread in this world, because people are living in righteousness, according to God's design. He is the King, and we submit to Him and His will.
When this is the case, we "love righteousness and hate wickedness." Therefore, the God of Righteousness, Our God, anoints us with the Oil of gladness more than our companions, more than the others around us, who are not living under God's authority and righteousness. In other words, gladness comes to us by being righteous. Sadness and stress comes to us when we miss God's design. God makes sure of that, because He is doing His work to encourage everyone who follows Him. When He is happy with us, we have gladness of heart. When we are doing His will, He pours out His oil of gladness on us to reward us. He is a Wise King, and He loves righteousness. He rewards the righteous with the oil of gladness.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 46-48.
These verses refer to Jesus specifically, but I believe they contain a principle for all of us, so that we can have what He had from the Father. The truth is that God's kingdom is forever, and it is a kingdom of righteousness. God's scepter is used to work righteousness, never evil. His will is for us to do His will on earth, as it is done in heaven. Then, His kingdom is spread in this world, because people are living in righteousness, according to God's design. He is the King, and we submit to Him and His will.
When this is the case, we "love righteousness and hate wickedness." Therefore, the God of Righteousness, Our God, anoints us with the Oil of gladness more than our companions, more than the others around us, who are not living under God's authority and righteousness. In other words, gladness comes to us by being righteous. Sadness and stress comes to us when we miss God's design. God makes sure of that, because He is doing His work to encourage everyone who follows Him. When He is happy with us, we have gladness of heart. When we are doing His will, He pours out His oil of gladness on us to reward us. He is a Wise King, and He loves righteousness. He rewards the righteous with the oil of gladness.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 46-48.