My horn You have exalted like a wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil. (Psalm 92:10)
In the previous devotion, we highlighted the notion that wicked men can rise up very quickly and attain great power, only to descend into oblivion just as quickly as they rose up. In sharp contrast with that is the righteous man; seldom do they experience a meteoric ascent to power and influence. It is more common to see that their life is one of trials and hardships and yet, with God’s help, they overcome these obstacles to become what God ordained for them. And when they do come into the fulness of God’s Will, it is evident to all, friend and foe alike, that they have been favored and guided by His Hand all along.
In that vein of thought, the psalmist declares that the Lord exalts the strength of the righteous man as He leads him to victory over his enemies. When I read this, Mordecai comes to mind. His nemesis, Haman, by order of the king, was forced to lead him in a procession of honor through the city (Esther 6:10-11). The Bible tells us that it was a shameful thing for Haman to see this righteous man esteemed before all the people but, as we know, that was just the beginning. Haman was to be defeated completely, while Mordecai and the rest of God’s people were to gain the upper hand over those who had sought their destruction.
Let us also acknowledge this statement — “I have been anointed with fresh oil.” Considering what those who pursue the path of righteousness are commonly required to endure, when they finally realize victory, the Lord refreshes them with oil — a phrase I take to mean a fresh anointing. In other words, to be exalted by the Lord implies we are entering into a new season of life in which we are called to do things we could not do before. And if that be so, the new season and new responsibilities that go along with it requires a fresh anointing. This makes me think of David, the humble shepherd that God chose to be king. He endured many hardships before he was crowned king but his journey did not end there; it was the beginning of a new season in life that the hardships of the past had prepared him for.
All of this leads me to this concluding thought: God will always equip us with what we need in order to fulfill the mission He has given us. So if we are in the season of trial and testing, He will give us the strength we need to endure and, in due time, He will exalt those who remain faithful — even our enemies will have to take notice of His Hand upon our life. Furthermore, exalting us means He will empower us so that we may continue into the next season of life with a much needed fresh anointing. We will need that fresh anointing in order to be ready for the next round of tests and trials that are certain to come our way.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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