GOD HIMSELF chose the prophets, priests and kings of ancient Israel according to HIS favor. HE gave instruction for them to be anointed with oil in an act of consecrating them for their office. Time and again, these anointed ones would be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT and Divinely empowered as a result. In 1 Samuel 10 we see Saul change into a different person following his anointing and it is stated that the SPIRIT of GOD came powerfully upon him.
The same is said of David in 1 Samuel 16 verse 13, marking the departure of the SPIRIT from king Saul due to disobedience. GOD’s favor, SPIRIT and anointing now rested upon the young shepherd boy.
Acts 5 verse 32 provides another direct link to obedience and the presence of the SPIRIT: “And we are HIS witnesses of these things; and so is also the HOLY SPIRIT, whom GOD has given to them that obey HIM.”
Even before the era of kings, we find that GOD empowered HIS chosen ones with the SPIRIT to achieve certain feats in HIS NAME. Moses and Joshua are excellent examples of what can be achieved through complete obedience to GOD.
But what about believers today? How would we receive the anointing of GOD without a hope of being Jewish prophets, priests or kings?
An answer so simple is found in the ONE whose NAME even spells it out for us. Through the MESSIAH (meaning ‘anointed’), we are counted among GOD’s chosen ones. 1 Peter 2 verse 9 says it so beautifully: “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, GOD’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of HIM who called you out of darkness into HIS wonderful light.”
Revelation 1 verse 6 states that HE has made us kings and priests to GOD the FATHER and 1 John 2 verse 20 puts it clear as crystal: “You have an anointing from the HOLY ONE…”
Throughout the Bible, anointing oil was used for a number of Divine purposes, including cleansing and consecration, healing, making something or someone holy and activating the power of the SPIRIT. And aren’t those also the things we gain through the blood of the flawless LAMB?
Because of JESUS, we are entitled to the favor and blessings of GOD. And this is what we reaffirm in the Spiritual through the physical act of anointing – our status in CHRIST, our cleansing, our healing and our empowerment in the SPIRIT.
How appropriate that it’s also referred to as the oil of gladness! What wonderful reason to rejoice in this perfect gift we have in CHRIST. A gift that can’t be earned, it can only be received.
The act of anointing with oil is much like an electrical appliance that needs to be plugged in to a power source in order to work. As a Spiritual tool, anointing is powerless without our heavenly FATHER and just as GOD used anointing of Biblical leaders to bring about HIS plans and purposes, it still works that way today. It’s about HIS plans and HIS ways. HIS power is available to us, not to do as we please, but as HE pleases.
1 John 2 verse 27 teaches us that the anointing we have received from CHRIST abides in us as we abide in HIM. And we are reminded of the anointing being removed from Saul due to disobedience. We need to remain submitted to our KING, endeavoring for less of us and more of HIM, seeking HIS truth and HIS face in all we do.
As we steer along the trials and triumphs that mark our earthly paths, we all need fresh oil, or a fresh outpouring of the SPIRIT to strengthen us for a specific task we face, shed light on our situation or protect and heal us Divinely from the onslaught of the enemy.
May we find the hand of GOD guiding us, every day, to the place where HIS anointing, HIS SPIRIT portion and the exact fruits we need for such a time as this, awaits.
How do you pray over anointing oil?
What is Anointing Oil used for?
What anointing oil should I use?
What are the ingredients of anointing oil?
What does it mean to be anointed with oil?
How do you receive the anointing of GOD?
Where does anointing of the sick take place?
What oils are in anointing oil?
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