Prayer: Father, thank You for a timely word! Your Word I delight in. It amazes me. Astounding. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Reading: Psalm 45 key: vs. 8-9
8 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Therefore, God, your God, anointed you with the oil of gladness above your companions.[a]
9 All your robes have myrrh, aloes, cassia.
From ivory palaces, stringed instruments
make you glad.
Attention: I had to read today’s psalm twice and remind myself that the psalmist is writing about a wedding. The details are down to the minutia of an oil that was used for the ceremony. It is called the “oil of gladness” and is composed of three elements, “myrrh, aloes, (and) cassia.” Aloe (Aloexyllon agallochum and Aquilaria agallocha) is a “spice used to perfume garments and beds.” Aloe was also a component which was mixed with water and other spices for anointing the dead. Cassia is made from the “dried bark or blooms of the (Flores cassiae), the pods and leaves were used as medicine.” Myrrh (Commiphora abessinica) if a “resinous gum of a plant which was included in the preparation of the holy anointing oil (Exodus 30:23). It was also used for its aromatic properties.”
Imagine the detail of the psalmist to notice and document the fragrance of the wedding party. He decrees that because “you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness…Therefore, God, your God, anointed you with the oil of gladness.”
We too must embrace a love of righteousness and a hate for evil or wickedness, sin. The love of righteousness and the hate of wickedness go together. Both must coexist. They are not separate. Anointing does not come from God unless both exist.
Action: I will embrace a love for righteousness and a hate for evil.
Yield: I yield my character for God’s character.
Engage: I want to be conformed to God’s image.
Relationship: I have full relationship when I yield and conform to God’s image.
Prayer: Father, I desire for those I come in touch with to see Jesus. I desire Your anointing. Help me to embrace righteousness and hate evil. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Memory Verse: Isaiah 61:1-3
The Ruach of Adonai Elohim is on me,
because Adonai has anointed me
to proclaim Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound,
2 to proclaim the year of Adonai’s favor
and the day of our God’s vengeance,
to comfort all who mourn
3 to console those who mourn in Zion,
to give them beauty for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning,
the garment of praise
for the spirit of heaviness,
that they might be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of Adonai,
that He may be glorified.
Music Video: Jesus Culture – Anointing (Lyrics)
Remember, “Abide in Jesus, today!”