I SHALL NOT WANT FOR POWER

He anoints my head with oil… – Psalm 23: 5c

Anointing the sheep’s head with medicinal oil prevented pesky flies that would often drive the sheep to their death. In spiritual terms, OIL signifies the ANOINTING or POWER of the Holy Spirit. When God found David and anointed him with His holy oil, POWER began to be demonstrated in His life and ministry without restriction (Ps.89:20-23). Isaiah 10:27 says: “It shall come to pass in that day that his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck, and the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil.”

We live in a day when most people are thirsty for and searching for power – political power, economic power, youth power, women power, labour power, gay power…but, mostly, POWER TO TAKE, rather than POWER to GIVE or to BLESS others. Indeed, a fresh impartation of power is one of the greatest needs of the Church and Christians in these days. Power was the theme of the Lord’s parting words: “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Lk.24:49).

Moreover, the Lord Jesus Christ declared His possession of all the power in heaven and on earth (Mt. 28:18). JESUS – the Shepherd of our souls – has ALL POWER! We were redeemed by power. Paul said: “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of POWER, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the POWER of GOD” (1 Cor.2:4-5).

We are in His Kingdom of power: “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in POWER” (1 Cor.4:20). We are meant to be power-carriers and dispensers of divine power: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the POWER that WORKS IN US, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Eph.3:20). God’s POWER is in God’s PEOPLE. However, not to USE power appropriately, is to LOSE it! The power of the Holy Spirit is meant for flowing, going, giving, sharing, and releasing. That’s why, when the Shepherd anoints your head with oil, your cup is meant to overflow.