James Smith, 1860

"I shall be anointed with fresh oil." Psalm 92:10

The work of the Holy Spirit in the heart, is of the greatest importance. Until we experience it, we are dead in sin. Having once enjoyed it, we often need its renewal. It is variously represented in God's word, and is compared to a variety of things. In one place, to the reviving and refreshing influences of the dew. In another, to the quickening and fructifying effects of the shower. Again, the Psalmist sings, "I shall be anointed with fresh oil." Here is,

A PRIVILEGE ANTICIPATED.
Oil is a common emblem of the Spirit, who is called "the anointing which you have received." This anointing represents his renewing, sanctifying, and saving operations, as received and enjoyed by all God's people.

This anointing consecrates them as God's kings, and they become the Lord's anointed.

It qualifies them as God's priests, and they become a royal priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God, through Jesus Christ.

This anointing beautifies them, as God's sons, causing their faces to shine, and filling them with joy and peace.

This anointing perfumes them as God's favorites, and all their garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia.

Without this anointing we cannot . . .
reign as kings,
officiate as priests,
approach God as sons, or
rejoice before him as favorites.

The EFFECTS of this anointing are many, and very precious.

This anointing gives us fresh views of Christ, and every sight of him endears him more and more to our hearts.

This anointing gives us a deeper experience of the truth, and we know more of its power, sweetness, and savor.

This anointing gives us more power in prayer, and we plead with God and prevail.

This anointing gives us sweeter enjoyment of ordinances, for we see more of Christ in them, and are mightily refreshed through them.

This anointing gives us stronger confidence in God, so that we conquer our doubts and fears, and can trust God in the dark — or in the light; on the mount — or in the valley.

This anointing gives a delightful savor to our conversation, so that we not only speak of Christ with freedom, and of our Christian experience with pleasure — but there is a savor and a power in what we say, which produces a good impression in those that hear.

This anointing preserves us from falling into temptation. Nothing will . . .
raise us above the world,
give us power over flesh, or
make us a match for Satan —
like being anointed with fresh oil.

O to receive this unction more frequently, and more plentifully in the future, than ever I have done in the past! Gracious God, anoint me with fresh oil! David was assured of this, which leads me to,

THE CONFIDENCE EXPRESSED
"I shall be anointed with fresh oil." I have been anointed before, I am not a stranger to the presence and power of the Spirit in past times. God has promised to give more grace, and his Holy Spirit, to those who ask him. I realize the value and feel my need of it. I ardently and heartily desire it. I daily and fervently plead for it. God is faithful to his own word. It will honor him and serve his cause to bestow it.

In such a case, how can one be too confident? How can one be too sure, though the blessing is great, and I am unworthy. It may be much for me to receive, but it is not much for an infinite God to give. I will therefore endeavor, as I feel my need of the blessing, to believe the promise, plead it with God, trust the Divine faithfulness, and thus looking forward to times of drought or danger, say, "I shall be anointed with fresh oil."

See where many are deficient — they have no oil. Like the foolish virgins, who took no oil in their vessels with their lamps. A religion without oil, is dry, harsh, and unsavory. A professor without oil, is a stranger to . . .
the joys of salvation,
heart-melting fellowship with God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit.

Such an one may talk of doctrines or duties, of ordinances or histories, but cannot enter into heart-work.

God's true people feel no knitting of soul to him, no delight in his conversation, no sanctifying influence in his company. But the man that is anointed with fresh oil, spreads a sweet fragrance in every company, produces an impression on every Christian's mind. And though he may say but little, in that little there is power, and substance, and sweetness.

Where there is no oil, the lamp will go out — the profession will become wearisome. See where many fail — they do not expect fresh oil.

We are regenerated but once — but we may receive the renewings of the Holy Spirit often, and unless we receive these renewings, we shall become dry, barren, lifeless, and cold! There will be . . .
no delight in prayer,
little pleasure in ordinances, and
the Bible itself will become unsavory.

We cannot go on long, or go on happily, without fresh oil. See then, what we all need, "fresh oil." We need daily to be renewed in the spirit of our minds. The earth may as well be expected to be fruitful without sun, rain, or dew — as for our souls to prosper, without frequent communications of the Holy Spirit.

Nor will our need of the Spirit ever cease, or be less, while we are in this present world. Indeed, the longer we live, the more deeply do we feel our need of the Spirit, to work in us both to will and to do, and to help our infirmities. As we need him in health — so we shall need him more in sickness. And as we need him in life — so we shall need him more in death, when heart and flesh fails.

See then, what we should do, we should realize our need of the Spirit. The more deeply we feel this, the better. The more constantly we feel it, the better. We should ardently desire the fresh anointings of the Spirit. He is as necessary to our souls, as the vital air is to our bodies. Our natural lives could as easily be sustained without breath, as our spiritual life without the Holy Spirit. We should earnestly pray for the Spirit. That we have him in measure, should only stimulate us to seek to "be filled with the Spirit," that we may "live in the Spirit," and "walk in the Spirit."

Every Christian is one of God's anointed ones. he has been separated for God, set apart for the service of God, and consecrated by the Spirit of God. We sometimes say, 'beware of a religion without Christ' — but it is of quite as much importance to say, 'beware of a religion without the Holy Spirit.' Whatever begins with nature, ends with nature, hence so many professors fall away — but what begins with the Spirit of God, will be perfected in the glorious presence of God. If we have been anointed once, we shall desire and seek to be anointed again; and the longer we live the more deeply and painfully shall we feel our need of that anointing.

Reader, are you one of God's anointed ones? Have you received an unction from the Holy One? Does the Spirit of God dwell in you? Beware, O beware, of a religion without the Holy Spirit! If the Holy Spirit is in you, he will daily . . .
teach you your need of Christ,
bring you to Christ,
make Christ precious to you, and
lead you to glory in Him, and in Him alone.