Healing Oil
by Katherine Kehler
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“You pour oil on my head” (Psalm 23:5).
In Bible times, oil had many uses. For baking, as a spread on bread, gifts, fuel for lamps, for anointing and it was used for offerings and sacrifices and for healing. We are also taught that the oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit.
A verse that captured my interest is in the story about the wise men presenting “frankincense and myrrh” to the Lord Jesus when he was a baby. (Matthew 2:11) Both of these oils are considered healing oils and indeed are great treasure and are very expensive.
Recently I have done some reading about the use of oil in the healing process.
The Bible tells us to pray and pour oil on sick people,
“Anyone who is sick should call the church’s elders. They should pray for and pour oil on the person in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14).
I have been at many prayer meetings for the sick (for my father-in-law and my brother included) where this has been done. Some were healed here, others in heaven.
There is the verse,
“You pour oil on my head” (Psalm 23:5).
It is written that in ancient times shepherds rubbed oil on their sheep to repel insects and to heal wounds. (Maybe they still do. We used to spray our chicken barns with coal oil to prevent mites from infesting the barns. Ointments still use a petroleum base).
Some people rub healing oils on painful parts of their bodies and experience relief.
Food for thought! God is so immense that we never come close to understanding all His amazing ways and wonders. Healing oil is one of them.
Father, You are full of wonders! Every day You show us anew who You are and what You are doing. Cause us to be open to You and to listen to the new things You want to show and teach us. Amen.
TODAY's Thought: Daily Devotional 
