Scripture: Psalm 45:7
You love righteousness and hate wickedness. No wonder God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy more than all your companions!
Thought for the Day: I love the language: “oil of joy,” especially with my recent enjoyment of olive oil in Greece. I’m pretty certain my arteries will have no clots for a while as they are well oiled. I recently saw this verse used in an online Bible Study, but it interpreted the oil of joy as a metaphor for financial wealth and prosperity. Here’s the thing, oil was used to give blessing to those who were called by God, but usually called to do the tough things. Prophets, who were treated poorly or even killed, were anointed with the oil of joy in advance of their work. Those who love righteousness and hate wickedness are those who become the go-to people for God’s work. Who do you ask when you need something important done? You usually ask the person who already has twenty things on his/her plate, yet you know that person will find a way of getting it done. In this case, it almost makes me not want to be too righteous as I don’t want God to ask me to do too much. I say that with a little humor, yet if you read the Gospels, you know that following Jesus is about giving things up, sacrificing and even the brutality of the cross. Remember, shortly before his arrest, Jesus was anointed with oil.
Prayer: Provide me the courage to be anointed with your oil of joy, O God whose mission will transform the world. With some fear in my heart, I make the request to be one of your go-to people. Amen.
Paul On Mars Hill
Sunday’s Sermon
