Romans 9:25 | The Oil of Gladness
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
Psalm 45:7 ESV
Something about this verse resonates with my spirit. Psalm 45 often sticks with me in my prayers in ways I don’t quite understand. Sometimes little phrases from this psalm pop into my mind. There are probably many interpretations of what Psalm 45 is all about. From a scholarly perspective, you might want to consult a commentary or read the words of a theologian. Today I want to show you how parallel to the careful study of the scriptures is the prophetic pull of prayer.
There are intellectual, theological, and practical lessons from Psalm 45. Is the author talking about King David? Could these words be a prophecy of King Jesus? Are they talking about something else? Perhaps it is all of the above. These words carry multi-dimensional weight.
When I read Psalm 45, I am caught up in the language of royalty and splendor. There is a tone of glorious uprightness and wonder. This is what I’m referring to as a prophetic pull. These words speak to our mind as much as they speak to our spirit. As I read these words, something in my inner spirit leaps toward this royal procession. Something in me, formed by God and redeemed by God, knows that these words describe the way of the Kingdom of God.
This verse, in particular, describes a kingly anointing. The one who loves righteousness and hates wickedness receives the anointing of gladness. This is an outpouring that comes from God alone. It exceeds every other kind of joy. This is the most excellent gladness one can receive.
Psalm 45 points my heart to the higher things. It beckons my spirit to long again for royal palaces and divine sanctuaries. It woos my inner being to respond to God’s invitation to live in the Kingdom of Heaven. It is so easy to remain in the realm of what we can know and understand. We can easily find ourselves only walking the shore of God’s ocean when he offers limitless freedom and gladness.
Ephesians 1:3-14 lays out the premise of our redemption, acceptance, and inheritance in Christ. Understand today that Christ invites you to partake in every royal blessing he enjoys. You are adopted into the family of God, giving you the same rights as the Son! God’s children are royalty, and Psalm 45 paints a picture of God’s majesty. Meditate on this splendor and receive the invitation to live in heavenly gladness.
Abiding happens daily in his presence. Abiding Daily is a simple and practical reminder to stay connected to the vine. Each prompt is inspired from the scriptures and designed to point you toward prayer and encounter. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To get the Daily Invitation sent to you every day click this link or text “Daily” to +1 (779) 237-3914.
