Psalm 23 Day Eight: Anointed
You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5
Day 8: Anointed
In our culture, it is never a good thing to pour something on someone’s head. I think without exception it is considered a really bad thing to do. Yet in our verse today we have the pouring of oil on your head as being a good thing and thus we need some explanations.
“You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.”
Both the practice of shepherding and other scriptures bring the rich insight we need. Let’s first look at the shepherding angle.
The most common reason a shepherd would pour oil or ointment on a sheep’s head was to protect them. Oil was used to soothe the bites from flies and other insects.
Phillip Keller in his book, “A Shepherd’s Look at Psalm 23” tell us:
“At the first sign of flies among the flock, I would apply an antidote to their heads. The effect was immediate. Gone was the aggravation, gone the frenzy, gone the irritability and restlessness.”
It’s a beautiful picture that your shepherd notices the things that are irritating you and he responds with ointment that soothes, calms and protects. It can speak peace to those of us whose minds spin, refusing to settle. We try so hard to get the thoughts out of our heads but like annoying flies they return again and again. We need an antidote from the shepherd.
"The shepherd who loves you see what is happening with you, and He reaches toward you with soothing ointment."
Looking further into other scriptures the rich imagery of anointing may help us connect this ancient practice to our present struggle.
The Bible Project has an excellent podcast on the meaning and practice of anointing. I highly recommend it for those of you who want to do a deep dive.
In ancient Israel, anointing with oil was a practice of setting apart a priest, a king or a prophet for a special purpose. Both Saul and David were anointed long before they took the throne. It was symbolic of the anointed person having a role that represented God to the people.
Jesus is referred to as the Messiah – which means “anointed one.”
In this small verse in the middle of the Psalm we see a prophetic statement of “You anoint my head with oil” signifying the day when Jesus would come, the true anointed one. Jesus’ mission was to set apart and fill those who follow Him. Whereas every human bears the image of God, those that follow Jesus are anointed and set apart.
"The place where things are often the darkest is now the place where His presence comes to dwell."
Tim Mackie of the Bible Project draws the connection that anointing is a connection between heaven – or the realm where God lives with earth – where our feet are firmly planted. ”Oil becomes a symbol of the abundant, restorative, heavenly life of God, the infinite, inexhaustible life and power of God in the heavens that can touch down here on earth through these representative people who get the oil poured on them. The oil becomes itself the symbol of the liquid life of God that touches down here on earth.”
Your head.
Anointed.
Anointed because you are a symbol of the liquid life of God that touches down here on earth – a reminder that God’s life and presence are meant to flow into ordinary human lives.
You are set apart with a purpose and a mission. The richness of it is almost too much to comprehend.
Your head, your heart, your body – the place where you may have experienced the darkness of hopeless thoughts – is now the place where His presence comes to dwell.
"In a world of 'not enough', of lack into this emptiness pours a stream that doesn't just fill you up - it spills out into the world around you."
What if we fully embraced that today. That the shepherd who loves you sees what is happening with you.
He knows the hurts and struggles are trying to define you. To keep you stuck with an identity that is less than his best for you.
He reaches toward you with soothing ointment.
He sets you apart, pouring into your life the riches of eternal life.
So much blessing that there is too much for you to handle.
In a world of “not enough”, of lack, into emptiness pours a stream that doesn’t just fill you up but fully fills until it spills out into the world around you.
So much you can’t contain it.
What a beautiful image.
Journal Prompts or Ponderings
- What are the little things that are irritating you today? Have you talked to the Shepherd about them?
- What part of the imagery of anointing do you feel most thirsty for today? Soothing? Protection? Set apart for a purpose? Being a representative of God to the world around you? Why is this significant for you today? What would it mean for you to take that in? What might shift?
- How full is your cup today? In what ways is it overflowing that you can return thanks for. According to numerous studies practicing gratitude offers proven mental, physical, and relational benefits. Showing gratitude physically alters brain structures to reduce stress hormones like cortisol, boosts immune systems, improves sleep duration, and even lowers the risk of mortality. Our practical way to cultivate gratitude is by keeping a gratitude journal. Start today by listing 3 things you are grateful for.
Prayer:
Lord, we come to you aware of that sometimes our thoughts are dark.
Make us aware of your anointing poured out on us.
May we see ourselves through your eyes - as one who is anointed and filled to overflowing.
Give us hope that our past and current struggles are not what defines us.
Help us embrace the life you have set us apart for.
May we walk as grateful people and be conduits of your healing in the world.
Amen
