Lessons From the Secret Place – Intimacy- Lesson 9a: Anointed to Overflow in Christ.
Today we will begin looking at Psalm 23:5b as we continue our study on intimacy with Christ.
Psalm 23:5b, you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Anoint my head with oil.
I want to look at four types of anointings found in the Word.
First, kingly anointing (anointing for leadership).
We find this kingly anointing described in 1 Samuel 10 and 16.
In 1 Samuel 10, we read that the people had rejected God as their king, by demanding a human king. God, in response to the request of the people, sent Samuel to anoint Saul as king. In Saul, God chose someone who would meet the desires and expectations of the people. Saul was handsome and was a head taller than any of the people (1 Samuel 9:2). However, we know that because his heart was not toward God first, Saul turned his back on God and followed his own desires (1Samuel 13).
In 1 Samuel 16, we see Samuel the prophet once again being called on by God to anoint a new king for Israel. This time God chose David, a man after his own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).
In the Old Testament, God called men to be kings to lead his people (Israel), physically as a military leader, ruler, defender, and protector. Today God is calling his Bride to be kings to lead the world spiritually.
Revelation 1:6, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (KJV)
As with David, God is looking for a people after his own heart. He is looking for men and women who are willing to lay aside their own agendas and following the leading of Holy Spirit. We do this through prayer and intercession for this land, as well as through living godly lives as testimony to the world around us.
The world is looking for the authentic; something that will last. The enemy has sold mankind a bill of goods that looked pleasing at the start, but which has dissolved into deep, dark, pain, fear, loss…
We each encounter individuals who are looking for answers to unspoken questions, who feel unfulfilled and unsatisfied with what the world has to offer. These are the ones for whom we are anointed. Our role as kings unto God, is to lead such as these by our example of holiness and uncompromising dedication to Christ.
Second, priestly anointing (anointing for ministry).
In Leviticus 8 we read the account of the anointing of Aaron and his sons into the priesthood. Leviticus 8:12, And he poured some of the anointing oil upon Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him. (AMPC)
In the Old Testament, priests came only from the tribe of Levi and were specifically descendants of Aaron. Their primary responsibilities were to offer sacrifices, maintain the tabernacle/temple, and teach the Law to the people. They were the religious leaders of their time.
Today, however, every believer is called to be a priest unto God. Revelation 1:6, And formed us into a kingdom (a royal race), priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion throughout the ages and forever and ever. Amen (so be it). (AMPC)
He made us a kingdom (NKJV marg.) and priests to His God and Father. As holy priests, we offer spiritual sacrifices to God: our persons, our possessions, our praise, and our service. As royal priests, we tell forth the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. i.
Every Christian has a call on his/her life. We are not all called to fulfill one on the fivefold ministry offices found in Ephesians 4:11, however, we are all called to serve God in the place and position in which we find ourselves today. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our current situation.
As his priests in this world, God anoints us to fulfill his call to minister to those around us in word and deed, putting feet to our faith. This may be offering to pray for someone one. It might be sharing something God has done in our life that speaks to a situation a coworker is facing. It might be as simple as a word of encouragement at the right moment or sharing the plan of salvation through Christ with a lost neighbor or friend.
Another way we put feet to our faith is by taking practical steps to touch the lives of others with the love of Christ in tangible ways. Buying a tank of gas for someone, taking a single mom’s car to get an oil change, or watching her children so she can grocery shop or take a much-needed nap. It might be offering to mow a widow’s lawn each week or buying Christmas gifts for a low-income family.
Whatever it is the God has called us to do at this moment, he has anointed us to do. He never asks us to do anything he has not equipped and anointed us to do. We just need to act in obedience to his leading to fulfill our position as priests unto God.
Third, prophetic anointing (anointing for empowering).
A "prophet" was "called" in the sense of being summoned by God to be a spokesman for God (cf. Ex 4:16; 7:1-2). A prophet was to be God's "mouth"; that was his "calling." Prophecy was by calling, not by choice. ii.
Throughout the Bible we see men and women who were anointed to be prophets for God, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, Anna, and Deborah to name a few. Today, God still has prophets who speak for him on a national or international scale.
As in the Priestly anointing, we are not all called to the office of a prophet, however, we are all called to be spokespersons for Christ.
In Matthew 10:18-20 Jesus said that when we stand before others to bear witness of him, we need not be anxious about what to say because Holy Spirit will speak through us. As Holy Spirit prompts us, we can declare the Word of the Lord to those in our sphere of influence.
Finally, Holy Spirit anointing (anointing for/with power, authority).
Acts 1:8, But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth. (AMPC)
They would be witnesses….
But first they must receive power—the power of the Holy Spirit. This power is the grand indispensable of Christian witness. A man may be highly talented, intensively trained, and widely experienced, but without spiritual power he is ineffective. On the other hand, a man may be uneducated, unattractive, and unrefined, yet let him be endued with the power of the Holy Spirit and the world will turn out to see him burn for God. The fearful disciples needed power for witnessing, holy boldness for preaching the gospel. They would receive this power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. iii.
Power can be defined as the ability to exercise influence and authority in the physical, mental or spiritual sphere. Synonyms for it include strength, vigour, force, capacity, wealth, means, substance, might, dominion, energy, authority and majesty. Authority is the right to use power or to act (Mark 3:15; Acts 4:33). iv.
Mark 3:15, And to have authority and power to heal the sick and to drive out demons: (AMPC)
Acts 4:33, And with great strength and ability and power the apostles delivered their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace (loving-kindness and favor and goodwill) rested richly upon them all. (AMPC)
God’s power enables God’s people to be his witnesses to the nations (Acts 1:8). It is transformational, enabling Christians to make a difference at local and national levels as well as in their callings or professions. v.
In conclusion, we are anointed for leadership, ministry, empowering, and anointed for/with power and authority. As 2025 draws to a close may we each seek Holy Spirit for a fresh anointing to fulfill his call on our life in our current situation/sphere of influence.
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