Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Monday, October 16, 2017

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-10-16-2017

This is devotional thought number 33 in our devotional series, “Removing the Veil: Sanctuary Living in the 21st Century.” Our subject is: The Oil of God

Here’s the question for consideration: How can we prepare to meet our God in righteous judgment?


“And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the Lord: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.” (Exodus 27:20–21).

These two verses are pregnant with light-giving truth. We could focus on the light, which represents Jesus, the Light of the world. We could underscore the fact the we are called to be lights in this dark world that should never be hidden. We could highlight the location of this wondrous light. We could expound the reality of there being no windows in the first apartment of the sanctuary, which intensified the effects and necessity of the light. We could identify with the blessing of God miraculously kindling the fire as long as the priests followed His guidance regarding the oil and incense. Or we could demonstrate the need of this light to continue from evening to morning, and from morning to evening for God’s blessing to be realized. We won’t. Today, we will recognize and meditate upon these and other gems from our theme text, but focus upon the oil.

The Bible is clear about God’s oil being a symbol of the Holy Spirit. When Kings were anointed, the oil was a symbol of God’s approbation and approval. As in the case of king Saul, who, in the end had disastrously lost his his spiritual mind, when the prophet anointed him in the beginning of his reign, he received the Holy Spirit and became a new man. David said: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” (Psalm 23:5). The sinner woman, Mary, learned to love and worship Jesus, and her beautiful offering was an aromatic ointment of oil. She lavished it on Him, signifying her submission to Him.

Unfortunately, so few respect the oil. So few respect the Holy Spirit. So few are ablaze with His power day and night. Even among those who profess to believe in God, so few embrace the necessity of receiving His anointing power and guidance, and to receive Him day and night until Jesus comes. In fact, Scripture tells a story of God’s sleeping people “awaiting” Jesus’ invitation into a wedding banquet. Half of those who were to be patiently awaiting the bridegroom ran out of the oil they needed to help them stay ready and keep watch. As they rushed away in search of more oil, the bridegroom came and welcomed those who recovered from their slumber and kept watch with the light and oil they needed (Matthew 25).

Could it be that God is welcoming us into an atmosphere of righteous judgment as He prepares His people for the kingdom; and that the only way we will be prepared to stand before Him and be celebrated, is if we have the Oil? Jesus is coming soon, and the only way He can bring His reward with Him is if He finds His people to be worthy of said reward. The only way a people can be worthy of eternal reward is if we continue to embrace Jesus and His righteousness, and continue to be filled with His Holy Spirit. The good thing is that our heavenly Father is more willing to give the Spirit to those who ask, than parents are to give good gifts to our children (Luke 11:13).