Prayer: Father, I could use some good news today. An encouraging word is always welcome by someone who is overwhelmed with life or in need of Your reassuring touch. Thank You for good news according to Your Word. Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 61 key: vs. 1-3 “The Ruach Adonai Elohim is on me, because Adonai has anointed me to proclaim Good News to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of Adonai’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of Adonai, that He may be glorified.” TLV
Attention: I pondered this passage for several hours today, asking the Holy Spirit to bring me a new understanding. I have heard this passage recited over the years and mostly for what it promises, bandages for the wounded, liberty for the addicted, freedom for those in chains, comfort and consolation for those who mourn, abundant joy and a covering of praise over the spirit of heaviness, for a new name given to those have endured the storms of life, “oaks of righteousness’ because they are planted in Adonai, “that He may be glorified.”
I am planted in Adonai, He is my foundation, my root and anchor.
But we are missing the point if we look past the opening statement of Isaiah, “The Ruach Adonai Elohim is on me, because Adonai has anointed me to proclaim Good News to the poor.” Isaiah is not talking about the traditional anointing with oil which was initiated by Adonai in Exodus 30:22-33, instructions given to Moses. The oil which Adonai instructs Moses to make is to be used anoint the “Tent of Meeting,” the “Ark of the Testimony, as well as the table and all its articles, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin along with its stand. You are to consecrate them so that they will be most holy.” The instructions of Adonai for this oil were even more restrictive, “It must not be poured on human flesh, nor are you to make any like it, with its formula. It is holy and must be holy to you” (vs. 32).
However, at the same time Moses anoints the Tabernacle, according to the instruction of Adonai, he anoints Aaron and his sons as kohanim unto Him (Leviticus 8).
Later in scripture, we see examples of Samuel anointing the first king Saul (1 Samuel 10:1) and David as king (1 Samuel 16).
When I think of the term anointing, my first thought is typically an anointing with oil. But Isaiah declares, “The Ruach Adonai Elohim is on me, because Adonai has anointed me.” When Adonai anoints someone, He anoints with the Holy Spirit, the Ruach Adonai.
In Acts 10:38, Luke records Peters declaration, “You know how God anointed Yeshua of Natzeret with the Ruach ha-Kodesh and power.” When God anoints, He anoints us with the Ruach ha-Kodesh. Have you been anointed by God? If you embrace Acts 1:8, you surely have been anointed with His Holy Spirit.
Action: I choose to embrace Acts 1:8 and the power which Adonai has poured out upon His own.
Yield: I choose to yield to the power anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Engage: I choose to engage with the Holy Spirit in being a witness for Adonai.
Relationship: I choose to live in holy, obedient relationship with God.
Prayer: Father, I receive and embrace the anointing of the Ruach ha-Kodesh which you place upon those who are Yours. Thank You for the empowerment You give to Your servants to do Your work. Amen.
Memory Verse: Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Ruach ha-Kodesh has come upon you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and through all Judah, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” TLV
Music Video: Chris Tomlin—Power https://youtu.be/87TJteKMHcA?si=VhcagYOCLdSi_iZx
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”