“Thou LOVEST RIGHTEOUSNESS, and HATEST WICKEDNESS: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.” Psalm 45:7.
“Thou hast LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS, and HATED INIQUITY; therefore God, even Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.” Heb. 1:9
“RIGHTEOUSNESS exalteth a nation: but SIN is a REPROACH to any people.” Prov. 14:34
Very inspiring and challenging word on righteousness and example the Lord Jesus left for us on this-loving righteousness and hating wickedness or any form of evil! Righteousness is right standing with God through our faith in what Jesus did at the cross by dying in our place, then living in obedience to every word of God, listening and yielding to the voice of the Holy Spirit, doing all things well and in accordance to God’s will!
This characterized the life of our Lord Jesus as the Holy Spirit inspired the Psalmist to write above as well as St Paul in the Hebrews 1:9, quoting the same message. Hence, the importance of loving and pursuing righteousness, and not allowing any contamination or compromise with evil no matter the pressure or temptation!
And the outcome was that God the Father anointed Jesus with oil of gladness above all around Him, hence, God distinguished, exalted, highly honoured Jesus, and giving Him the name above all names-at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father- Phil. 2:9-11.
Indeed, righteousness exalts a nation, people, families, persons…, while sin brings reproach, shame and death and hell! Psalm 9:17; Rom. 6:23.
Therefore, may we all follow the example of the Lord Jesus at all times by pursuing and loving righteousness (which also characterizes God’s kingdom-Rom. 14:17-righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Spirit), and hating any form of evil, wickedness or sin, and surely the Lord will exalt and honour us both in this life and in heaven, amen!
Have a blessed, victorious and fruitful weekend and daily life in Christ Jesus pursuing righteousness!
Pastor Raymond Adonai
