Psalm 45:7

"You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions." Psalm 45:7

Some how it just doesn't seem right. There is turmoil all around you - but you are at peace. There is trouble at home - but you have a joy in your heart that can't be explained. Even in the midst of suffering, you find happiness. It just isn't natural-- but you'll take it! David says that those who love righteousness and hate wickedness (he did not say those who are perfect!), are anointed with gladness. He did not say you will be anointed-- he says you are anointed! There are no exceptions to the rule. There are no deals in small print. It doesn't seem natural - because it isn't natural. God isn't natural. God is spiritual - Spirit - and all that He does has spiritual overtones. The fact remains, if we lover righteousness and hate wickedness, we will be blessed. You say it doesn't seem like it?

Note, David didn't say we would be trouble free. He just said we would be glad. Glad in our troubles? No, glad in Him. Glad in our turmoil? No, glad in Him. How glad? More than our companions who are not lovers of righteousness and do not hate wickedness. So you aren't glad with all that happens in your life? How much do you want God? How much do you want to serve Him? How much do you desire to see your friends saved from wickedness and sin? How much do you hate the sin but love the sinner?

If you are running shy of seeking God with all that is in you, you are running shy of loving righteousness. If you are enjoying some of the things of the world, you are running shy of hating wickedness. If these are true in your life, you may run shy of gladness. However, if you are doing your best, God will do the rest. This I say with all confidence. Your friends and neighbors, and unsaved family are watching you. If they see you crumble under the pressures of life and the enemy's attacks, they will say you are no better than they are. If you show a measure of gladness (in the Lord and with your lot in life), they will see a difference in you - they will eventually ask "what makes you different?" They will then be open to your testimony of what the Lord has done for you. Try it, you'll see! Amen and Amen.