Devotional: You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Week 8: What does Psalm 23:5b teach us about trusting in God's healing and infilling of the Holy Spirit?

5-MINUTE DEVOTIONEXPERIENCING GODGROWING IN FAITH

Mildred White

6/23/20262 min read

You anoint my head with oil

The Lord, our Shepherd, knows and is sensitive to our needs - physical, emotional and spiritual. Shepherds will tell you that they have to be watchful of their sheep and immediately attend to their needs to secure their chance of survival as sheep are one of the most vulnerable and needy animals that ever lived on earth. Left unattended, they will suffer and will not survive. They need to be shorn regularly or their coat will be too heavy for them to bear. When they fall on their backs, someone must lift them on their feet or they will helplessly suffer and die laying on the ground.

Here’s what’s interesting, when sheep have cuts or wounds, a shepherd’s go-to is olive oil. It is applied to the affected area and guarantees quick healing.

Our Shepherd anoints us with oil to heal our deep wounds that no human will ever be able to reach. He knows exactly how to heal us and bring us comfort and relief. And we, like sheep, feel miserable without our Shepherd. Without Him, there will be no true and complete healing of our soul.

Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

My cup overflows

Oil in the Scripture also represents the Holy Spirit. Jesus pours and fills us with the Holy Spirit and He (the Holy Spirit) becomes in us a stream of living water flowing out abundantly.

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.
John 7:38-39

With God filling us with the Holy Spirit and as He starts flowing out of us, God’s presence and character in us becomes an overflow. A life that is filled with God’s Spirit shall overflow with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). And our heart’s natural response to this overflow is humility, submission, praise and thanksgiving!

What is your heart filled with right now?

What would it look like if God’s character and Spirit becomes your overflow?

What is the Lord teaching you in Psalm 23:5b?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for being my Shepherd who anoints me with oil and heals me. You know my pains and hurts. You are attentive to my needs - they are many. You are with me every day. You fill my life with your love and Spirit. Forgive me for the times when I am filled with anxiety, fear, and so many things other than your Holy Spirit. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit now. I need you. I need your presence in my life. I want to overflow with good things coming from you, just like David did.

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!

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