Daily Devotional

“Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So, Samuel arose and went to Ramah” (Samuel 16:3).

Anointing is the act of pouring oil over a person’s head or entire body. Many cultures and religions anoint people. Often perfumed oil is used for the ritual, but some traditions have used milk, butter, or other types of fat. There are different reasons people are anointed. Sometimes it is a mark of hospitality on guests. People in Bible times anointed themselves with oil to facilitate cleanliness and freshness. It has also been used for health purposes and for healing the sick. 

A primary type of anointing in the Bible was an official act received by prophets, priests, and kings before they took office. Elijah anointed Elisha. Aaron and his sons were anointed for the priesthood. The Hebrew word for one who is anointed is “messiah,” which is a term applied to Jesus. In Greek, the word “Christ” means “the anointed one.” 

After Saul was rejected as king by the Lord, Samuel was directed to Jesse’s home in Bethlehem where he would anoint one of his sons as the new king. The prophet met the sons and was immediately impressed with Eliab, the eldest, and said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!” (1 Samuel 16:6). 

God had a different son in mind. “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (verse 7). 

When God asked people to be anointed, it wasn’t to simply honour them or wish them well. Anointing was recognition of the Lord’s Spirit being placed on an individual. For one to be anointed in heaven’s eyes, the heart must be open to receive the Holy Spirit. Our stature or looks have nothing to do with being ready to be anointed. God looks at the heart. 

Dear Jesus, I humble my heart before You, seeking to be filled and anointed with the Holy Spirit.