Holy Spirit DevotionalSample

OIL

All throughout Scripture, oil represents the Holy Spirit. Oil is used for anointing and giving light in lamps. Anointing oil in the Old Testament was used to consecrate (make holy) and install into positions where heaven would invade earth. 1 Samuel 16:13 says, “Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.” Kings and priests were anointed with oil as God's set a part leaders, full of the Holy Spirit. Today, Scripture says that we have been anointed by the Holy One, who teaches us all truth (1 John 2:20).

Oil was also a necessity in the Tabernacle for the lampstand. The priests tended to it daily to make sure the light never went out (Leviticus 24:1-4). This leads us to Matthew 25 with the parable of the ten virgins. Jesus tells this story to show the difference between the 5 virgins who had oil in their lamps and those who did not. The ones with oil were the ones who were ready for the Bridegroom when he arrived.

As the Bride of Christ, we must have oil reserved, which only comes from intimacy with the Holy Spirit. We must tend to this daily, as the priests did in the tabernacle. Are we getting oil directly from Him in our daily personal encounters or are we trying to get it from other people and their intimacy with God?

Pray: Holy Spirit, You have found a vessel in me! Anoint me, consecrate me, set me a part. Holy Spirit, I value You and Your presence in my life. I desire to be like the wise virgins who stewarded the oil in their lamps to be ready for when the Bridegroom came. Jesus, make me ready for Your return by filling me with the Holy Spirit. Speak Lord, Your servant is listening!