Psalm 92:10 [Amplified] But my horn [my emblem of strength and power] You have exalted like that of a wild ox; I am anointed with fresh oil [for Your service].
Luke 11:11-13 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
As my wife and I have been redeployed to the United States for a season we’ve traveled over 150,000 miles since 2020. Vehicles which deliver the kind of distances we travel need regular oil changes to stay reliable. So, our vehicles have enjoyed innumerable pit stops.
In the Scriptures the terms “oil” and “anointing” are common representations and/or invocations of the Spirit of God. The Amplified Bible’s rendering for Psalm 92:10 says that David was “anointed with fresh oil” for YHVH’s service.
The Gospels reveal that Yeshua (Jesus) often spent all night in prayer. No doubt, in addition to pouring out His heart to the Father and seeking wisdom, the Lord was also receiving fresh anointing, a holy “oil change” if you will, for the next day’s labor.
The famed preacher, D.L. Moody once said, ““Before we pray that God would fill us, I believe we ought to pray Him to empty us.”
During this month of Elul, our focus on repentance may involve emptying ourselves through deep confession and pouring out our hearts. It may also be a time of acknowledging our weakness and frailty and realizing again, our spiritual poverty. But the goal of all this is a deep and fresh infilling of holy “oil”; a renewed and wonderful apprehension of resurrection life, from God’s Holy Spirit. Without Him we can do nothing, but in and with Him we can do all things. Pour out your heart before Him, and be replenished with a fresh anointing for loving service in His power.
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]The apostle John quotes Isaiah 53:1, saying to whom has the z’roah [arm] of the Lord been revealed? It’s a question that God answers throughout the rest of Isaiah 53, describing in detail the life of Yeshua (Jesus) and the ultimate price He would pay for the sins of the world.
An ancient story in Church history tells of the apostle John. He would constantly repeat the words, "Little children, love one another." And his disciples became weary of the phrase. Finally, in his old age, as John was being carried to their assembly, the disciples asked him, "Why do you always repeat these same words?" "Because friends," John replied, "it is the Lord's commandment -- and if only this one were fulfilled, it would be enough."
The great evangelist and teacher Charles Spurgeon had a plaque on his bedroom with the words written on it, "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction."
We often develop strategies, game-plans, life-plans – and then, at some obstacle or critical point, we say – "Just stick to the plan!" It's usually good advice.
Life is always sending unexpected surprises, but praise God, nothing takes Him by surprise. He's the master planner. Our family might turn against us, our friends let us down, illness, afflictions, problems and "situations" on every side...God still has a plan, for you, and for me.
In Biblical Hebrew, the verb tenses are not like our "past", "present", and "future" – there are only two: "perfect" and "imperfect". The "imperfect" tense is that which is not yet, not done, or not completed. The "perfect" is that which is done, complete and finished.
The word for builder in Hebrew is “bo-neh”. It is also translated repairer. When our Messiah came 2000 years ago, He came to repair lives -- to do a complete restoration of all that is broken in this world.
J. Oswald Sanders, a Godly man and former director of Overseas Missionary Fellowship, once wrote about a position he desired. As he contemplated lobbying for the position, at one point, while walking through the city of Auckland, New Zealand, a verse of Scripture came to his mind, "Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not!"