Today's reading: 2 Kings 15, 16; Hosea 1; Hebrews 1
S) "9 “YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS;
THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU
WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS." - Hebrews 1:9 (NASB)
O) In the NASB translation, when some one quotes the Old Testament, they write it in all-caps. In this passage, the writer is using Scripture to show that Jesus was, in fact, the very son of God, and not simply another kind of angel. This particular verse, however, also contains a promise. God has a lot of "if-then" promises in the Bible, which apply to everyone. This is one is pretty simple, but it's one of my favorites. If you want an unsupressable joy, one that does not depend on circumstance, one that prevails in every hardship, then love righteousness and hate lawlessness. It reminds me of Psalm 119, which goes on and on about loving God's statutes, laws, principles, and disciplines. Over and over again, in that Psalm, the author speaks with evident joy. Seeking His righteousness and averting lawlessness is one of the most basic forms of pursuing God, and nothing brings joy like genuinely seeking to please Him.
A) This verse (and Psalm 45:7, which it quotes) are such an encouragement to me! It reinforces the fact that it is worthwhile serving God. It is not easy to live life by rules. It is not easy to actively avoid sin. It takes a striving to uphold the righteousness God has given to us as a gift. Thankfully we have forgiveness and mercy when we fail, and so we do not have to look for justification through the laws from the Bible. We know, however, that He still wants us to pursue holiness. This verse above is a promise that if I really chase God's goodness I will be given great joy!
P) Father, please continue to change my heart. Give me a renewed passion to seek your righteousness and leave lawlessness behind. Trying to live a holy life has myriad blessings in it. You don't give us rules just for the sake of making us jump through hoops. You have a better life in mind for us and You know there are particular ways to have that life; most importantly, being able to continue our relationship with You. I thank You for forgiveness and faith, and for the sacrifice of Jesus, through which You first called me justified, righteous and holy. I thank you that these are for all people. As I pursue a life that honors those gifts, let the joy that You give me be evident to others, so I can share Your goodness with them. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
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