"You anoint my head with oil"

The 23^rd Psalm

“You anoint my head with oil…” (Psalm 23:5b)

The hot days of summer are a special challenge to the shepherd. Summer is the time when insects and parasites are the most active and the shepherd must keep a close watch on the sheep. When he sees the sheep rubbing and banging their heads on brush and other objects he knows that the nasal fly has made its appearance. These nasty insects attempt to lay their eggs on the damp nucous membranes of the sheep’s nose. In a few days, if successful, the eggs with hatch to form small, slender, worm-like larvae. Unless the shepherd takes immediate action these larvae will work their way up the sheep’s nasal passage into its head and burrow into the flesh. To free the sheep of this irritation and severe inflammation, the shepherds in the Middle East take a home remedy consisting of olive oil mixed with sulfur and spices and rub it on the sheep’s nose and head.

   In the Christian life, our thoughts, ideas, emotions, choices, impulses, and desires are all shaped and molded through the exposure of our minds to other people, mass media, and other schemes of the evil one. In order to counteract the influences of our worldly tormentors, we need to follow the urging of our Good Shepherd and ask the Heavenly Father for His anointing oil of the Holy Spirit. It is this daily anointing of the Holy Spirit upon my mind that produces the fruit of the Spirit in my life. (Gal. 5:22)

   The summer months are not only noted for the “fly time,” but it is also “scab” time. Once this tiny parasite infects one sheep, it is transmitted to the entire flock by their habit of rubbing heads together. Here again, the solution lies in applying the “linseed” home remedy to the sheep.

   The antidote for the believer against these worldly demonic originated infestations is found in Ph. 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, if there is any excellence, or worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray for the continuous anointing of the Holy Spirit.