Psalm 23:5b
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
“Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head.”
Biblical History: The olive tree and fruit were the primary sources of oil used by Hebrews, abundant in Galilee. It is referred to as an emblem of prosperity beauty and religious privilege – Oil was used for many purposes but primarily to Anoint.
“Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil.”
Anointing for Consecration & Purification:
The act of anointing carries profound significance, symbolizing consecration to a holy or sacred purpose. This symbolism is evident in various biblical contexts, including the anointing of the high priest and the sacred vessel’s Anointing of kings and Prophets. As a community, we must recognize that we have been redeemed by the Blood of Christ, anointed for a life of consecration, set apart for Christ’s divine purposes. The profound responsibility lies on our shoulders to lead lives marked by holiness before delving into the discussion of the manifold benefits that come with being anointed.
Anointing for war:
As believers, we are called for battle, but God, through scripture and the Holy Spirit has called us to Triumph as well! The Anointing of oil is one of the tools of guaranteed victory in our trials and warfare that we may face. Take for instance David, it was God’s anointing that gave him the power and the ability to take this giant down with one perfectly, well-placed blow.
It wasn’t luck or coincidence, but the precision came from the power and the working of God in his life due to the anointing. In Isaiah 21, the expression, “anoint the shield” refers to the custom of rubbing oil on the leather of the shield so as to make it supple and fit for use in war.
Anointing for Abundance and Blessings:
Oil is also associated with prosperity and abundance. In the Bible, olive oil, in particular, was a valuable commodity and a symbol of God’s blessings. The promised land is described as “a land flowing with milk and honey,” with olive oil being one of the abundant blessings.
Anointing for Healing:
Beyond its physical applications, the biblical concept of anointing extends to the healing of the soul—a profound and spiritual dimension. While oil was indeed used for medicinal purposes, its
symbolism in the context of soul healing is equally significant. In the Gospel of Mark 6:13, we witness the disciples employing oil for healing purposes during their ministry: “And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.” This practice highlights the continuity of using oil as a healing agent. James 5:15 further reinforces the spiritual dimension of anointing: “And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” The act of anointing is
intimately connected to the forgiveness of sins and the restoration of the soul.
God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions
The Anointed One – Redemption
Jesus is THE anointed one. His birth and deliverance were
prophesied years before his manifestation. He was anointed with the Holy Ghost (Isa. 61:1), figuratively styled the “oil of gladness” (Ps. 45:7; Heb. 1:9). Jesus spoke of the purpose of His anointing as outlined in Luke 4
Luke 4:18-19 NIV
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
The purpose of Jesus’ anointing as the Messiah was to bring salvation, reconcile humanity with God, and establish God’s kingdom. His sacrificial death on the cross is central to this mission, providing redemption for sin and offering eternal life to those who believe in Him.
The anointing of the Holy Ghost is what propelled Jesus in the fulfillment of the messianic prophecy. In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing the imminent crucifixion, Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).
My Prayer for you this season, is that you learn and activate the oil and let it work for you. As believers, upon accepting Christ into our lives, we received the anointing of the Holy Spirit to lead a life that reflects Christ. The Bible affirms that as believers, we are destined to accomplish even greater works. However, this can only be realized through the transformative workings of the anointing in our lives. I encourage you to pray through these specific points often, trusting that the Lord will shape your destiny in alignment with His divine will.
Prayer Points
1. Consecration and Holiness:
Heavenly Father, we come before you in this Month of Oil, acknowledging that we have been anointed by the precious Blood of Christ. May this anointing consecrate us for a life of holiness and sacred purpose, setting us apart for Your divine will.
2. Empowerment for Spiritual Warfare:
Lord, just as David triumphed over Goliath through the power of the anointing, empower us with Your anointing for victory in the battles we face. May the oil of Your presence make us resilient, strong, and victorious in the spiritual warfare we encounter daily.
3. Abundance and Blessings:
Gracious God, we recognize that oil symbolizes prosperity and abundance in Your Word. Pour out Your blessings upon us, both individually and as a community, that we may experience a land flowing with the milk and honey of Your divine favor.
4. Healing of Body and Soul:
Merciful Father, just as the disciples anointed the sick with oil and witnessed healing, we pray for the anointing of Your healing power. Heal our physical ailments and restore our souls, bringing forgiveness and restoration to every aspect of our lives.
5. Understanding Jesus, The Anointed One:
Lord Jesus, as we delve into the biblical history and spiritual understanding of oil, deepen our understanding of You as the Anointed One. May we grasp the significance of Your anointing
in bringing salvation, freedom, and favor to humanity.
6. Alignment with God’s Purpose:
Heavenly Father, align our lives with Your divine purpose just as Jesus surrendered to Your will in the Garden of Gethsemane. Let the anointing guide us in fulfilling Your plans for our lives, even in the face of challenges and uncertainties.
7. Proclamation of Good News:
Lord, grant us the boldness and anointing to proclaim the good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, and liberation for the oppressed. May the oil of
gladness flow through our lives as we share Your message of salvation.
8. Activation of Spiritual Gifts:
Holy Spirit, activate and stir up the spiritual gifts within us. May the anointing empower us to operate in the gifts You have bestowed upon us, contributing meaningfully to the advancement of Your Kingdom on earth.
9. Unity and Fellowship:
God of unity, as a community, let the oil of Your anointing bind us together in love and fellowship. May our lives be intertwined in a way that glorifies You and may the spirit of unity prevail among us.
10. Transformation and Greater Works:
Lord, we trust in the transformative workings of the anointing in our lives. Transform us, shape our destinies, and enable us to accomplish even greater works for Your glory. May the
anointing be evident in all aspects of our lives, reflecting the image of Christ.
RICHARD A GYAMFI
THE FACTORY OF GOD CHURCH
www.thefogchurch.com
One Response
Hi, this is a comment.
To get started with moderating, editing, and deleting comments, please visit the Comments screen in the dashboard.
Commenter avatars come from Gravatar.