You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. Hebrews 1:9
Attempting to find joy is something that people all over the world are striving for. The harder they strive to find joy, the less that they seem to find it.
With all of the crime, hatred, violence and destruction occurring, people fall into depression. Many go to doctors or take certain drugs to find the peace and joy that they are seeking, but unable to find.
The author of Hebrews, quotes from Psalm 45:6, 7, a prophecy about Jesus. It points out that Jesus loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Because of this love and hatred, God has anointed Him with the oil of joy.
In the same way that the world is seeking joy, many believers are also seeking it and are also unable to find it. They know the verses and can talk about God, but they refuse to follow God’s commands.
Many have one foot set in the church, while the other is still in the world. While they claim to follow Jesus, they also choose to love the wicked things of this world, and refuse to give up sins in their lives.
As long as a believer harbors sin and enjoys sin, he will lose out on gaining joy. Jesus had joy, despite horrible circumstances, because He knew that He was doing what the Father wanted Him to do. Jesus was loving righteousness and hating wickedness. He would not fall to the temptations to sin.
Every believer needs to make a concerted effort to flee all sin and hate all wickedness. In place of not seeking evil, he must seek God’s holiness and righteousness that Jesus provides in abundance.
As this is done, just as God filled Jesus with joy, He will fill the believer with abundant joy despite any circumstance in life.
While you are seeking joy, you must examine your life. Find out what you really love and see if what you love honors God. Be willing to turn away from all wickedness and sin, and turn your focus upon God, His Holiness and His righteousness.
Do not allow yourself to be caught up in the evil, wicked sins of this world, but in God’s holiness and righteousness. Put on the righteousness of Jesus and receive the joy that God will fill you with as you serve Him.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that God will strengthen you to turn from all sin; that you will know the righteousness of Jesus; that you will know the joy God has for you; and that God will set you apart from the wickedness of this world.
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