08232025 You Have Anointed My Head with Oil

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God who places people where He wants them to be. David acknowledged, “Thou anointest my head with oil.”

I have read that the meaning and translation may be best represented with the present perfect (have anointed) rather than the present tense (anointest). This would further clarify this reference to David being anointed as king. I think because of some of the passages in the New Testament, we tend to think of anointing with oil as a sign of refreshment or hospitality. I did a quick perusal of Old Testament passages that refer to anointing with oil. They refer almost exclusively to consecration – of priests, kings, or the tabernacle. I found two references to medicinal use and two to cosmetic use. Overwhelmingly, the Old Testament use of anointing with oil was for someone set apart for a very special task, as David was as king. I believe this phrase from Psalm 23 is David’s reflection on God’s choosing him for service.

David was very aware that it was God who had chosen him for his position. “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head” (Ps. 3:3). In a few other psalms, David also speaks of God lifting him into his position as king and of raising him up in victory over his enemies. “Thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head. … Honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him” (Ps. 21:3b,5b). “Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me” (Ps. 18:43). “And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy” (Ps. 27:6).

The biblical narratives describe this. In fact, David was anointed three times: once as a young man by Samuel, once over Judah, and once over all Israel. “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward” (I Sam. 16:13). “And the men of Judah came, and there [Hebron] they anointed David king over the house of Judah” (II Sam. 2:4). “Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel. … And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake” (II Sam. 5:2-3,12; II Chr. 11:2-3).

The anointing ceremonies were just the beginning. It wasn’t enough just to be placed into his position, but David had to live out that service for forty years. There was no turning away from where God had placed him. “David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah” (II Sam. 5:4-5; I Kings 2:11).

God chose David for service because of his heart toward God; in contrast, Saul was rejected because he did not maintain such a heart. “And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbor, even to David” (I Sam. 28:17). “And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel” (II Sam. 6:21). “And [Saul] enquired not of the Lord: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse” (I Chr. 10:14).

David’s rise to power was gradual. Although God chose him early on, the working out of that plan took place over time. “Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker” (II Sam. 3:1).

David’s position was clearly by God’s design. David could not have put himself in such a position. Neither could he have made himself successful in his position. Both the designation as king and the success as king were directly because of God’s blessing. God put him there, and God helped him along the way. “Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: and I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth. … and thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever” (II Sam 7:8-9,16; I Chr. 17:7). “And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel. … And the fame of David went out into all the lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations” (I Chr. 14:2,17). (II Sam. 3:17-18).

David’s position as king carried a responsibility and expectation. David’s sin with Bathsheba was a glaring violation of that divine expectation. In this situation, David did not act kingly and did not demonstrate a right response in light of all that God had done for him. “And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; and I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things” (II Sam 12:7-8).

God’s plan extended beyond David himself. God chose David’s line to continue as the kings of Israel. The impact of David’s legacy continued long after David was gone. “Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said … Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow” (II Sam. 23:1,5). “Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel” (I Chr. 28:4).

David had a sense of humility, both about being king and about the long-term legacy. After God gave the Davidic covenant, David expressed his wonder at this amazing blessing of God. “And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant’s house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God” (I Chr. 17:16-17).

Finally, David is not the only one God has chosen for service. David recognized this to be true of the followers of God. God consecrates men to Himself and places them in His chosen places of service. “But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto Him” (Ps. 4:3). “For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet” (Ps. 8:5-6).

From beginning to end, David’s anointing for service was all of God. God called him, God brought it about, God developed and prospered it, God strengthened him for it, and God was faithful to keep every promise regarding it.

I trust these meditations regarding David’s divinely established service will encourage you as you consider the place to which God has called you. He is faithful!

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

08162025 You Prepare a Table in the Presence of My Enemies

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God who provides, both in good times and in bad times. David records: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.”

In previous phrases David has said that he does not lack and has spoken of God’s rich pastures. What makes this verse different is the presence of the enemies. It seems David wants to emphasize that his Shepherd’s ability to provide is not hampered by adverse circumstances. Even in dangerous and threatening times, God feeds His children, spreading before them a table of provision. This implies a sense of calm and normalcy even in the midst of the crisis, as he is able to sit down to a table.

David declares that even in times of affliction, the righteous will have sufficient food, enough to satisfy. “The meek [afflicted] shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him. Your heart shall live for ever” (Ps. 22:26). A time of evil or famine does not prevent God from fully caring for His children. “They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied” (Ps. 37:19).

David wasn’t just making up something that sounded good. No, he had seen God work this out multiple times during his life. Perhaps the first time was when he was fleeing from Saul after Jonathan’s warning. As David fled with no prior notice and with just the clothes on his back, he arrived at Nob desperate for food. He received the best bread imaginable. “So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away” (I Sam. 21:6).

Later, David and his men were hungry in the desert. After Nabal refused to give anything to David, David was on the brink of performing a massacre. “Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses” (I Sam. 25:18). God not only prevented the carnage, but also supplied a feast.

David was caught in a great civil war, as Absalom gained popularity and sought to overthrow his father. After narrowly escaping an ambush, David and his men were still on the run and in need of food. “And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi, … Machir, … and Barzillai … brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, and honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness” (II Sam. 17:27-29). Through these three men, God provided an abundance of food and supplies.

When David was in the midst of conflict with the Philistines, he had a yearning for his city of Bethlehem, thinking nostalgically of the well there. In this situation of great risk, three of David’s men delivered one of the most precious drinks of water ever provided. “And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out to the LORD” (II Sam. 23:16).

When David was at Hebron, still in danger from Saul and his army, he reached a point of growing support from those who were ready to make David king. At this time of transition, God provided an abundance of food. “And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them. Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel” (I Chr. 12:39-40).

David knew the generosity of God’s provision, even in times of great danger and adversity. Even then, God never abandoned him but continued to provide all that David needed.

God’s hand is not short, and His resources never run out. May He provide for you all that you need this week.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

08102025 Your Rod and Staff Comfort

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our comforting God. David recognized this truth, as he wrote, “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

God cares about comforting His people. He is the kind of God who ministers to the soul, who bolsters and upholds it. David recognized God’s personal interest in his life and His habitual practice of providing comfort. “When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble” (Ps. 9:12). “Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me” (Ps. 86:17). “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” (Ps. 56:8).

While God is able to provide comfort through various means, it seems to be pretty widely acknowledged that the rod and staff, instruments of guidance and correction, refer to the Bible. For sure, the inspired and sufficient words of Scripture have always been a profound source of comfort to God’s people. David recognized the goodness of God in His instruction and leading. “Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way” (Ps. 25:8-9).

Of course, David did not possess much of the Bible, but what he did possess, he held in high esteem. He knew the power of God’s words, that they were able to comfort and lift the spirit, providing much joy and pleasure, even as they instructed, guided, and corrected. “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statures of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward” (Ps. 19:7-11).

Yes, God is a Comforter, and His Word is a comfort. As He uses His Word to nudge us in the right direction and keep us on the right path, we can be comforted that we are His sheep for whom He cares very much. Because of His love, it matters to Him that we walk the right path, allowing us to fully enjoy His presence and blessing.

May God give you special blessings this week from His Word and may He comfort you wherever that is needed.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

08032025 You Are With Me

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our ever-present God. David’s reason for not fearing death was because of God’s presence, but the impact of God’s presence with him was profound. “For thou art with me.”

This is a fundamental truth of Christianity. Sadly, it is one that believers often struggle with or forget during difficult times. David firmly believed this truth, and it was an anchor for his life. David recognized that God was with all His children. “There were they in great fear: for God is in [with] the generation of the righteous” (Ps. 14:5). “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth” (Ps. 145:18). The same cannot be said of people, who will sometimes forsake or be unavailable. Even if no one else is with the believer, God never forsakes him. “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up” (Ps. 27:10). “For thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee” (Ps. 9:10b).

David offers a great masterpiece in talking about God’s presence with him – in every place and at every time. “Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light around me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee” (Ps. 139:5,7-12).

David shares several implications of God’s constant presence. One result is that a God who is with him can rescue him from trouble, danger, or death. “For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard” (Ps. 22:24). “For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul” (Ps. 109:31). Many examples were shared in the previous study, but here is another from David’s life. “So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, or knew it, neither awakened: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them” (I Sam. 26:12). God was with David, and He put the enemies to sleep.

A second result of God’s presence is internal stability and peace. God’s presence is why David did not fear. “I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved” (Ps. 16:8). “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness” (Ps. 17:15).

A third result of God’s presence is promotion or position. David ended up where he was only because God was with him. “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head” (Ps. 3:3). This was true from the very beginning, when David was first introduced to the palace, and one of Saul’s servants recommended David as a musician. “Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him” (I Sam. 16:18). It was true of David’s advancement in position, after he became king. “And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him” (II Sam. 5:10, I Chr. 11:9). God declared this truth when He made His covenant with David. “And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the names of the great men that are in the earth” (II Sam. 7:9, I Chr. 17:8).

A fourth result of God’s presence is prospering and success. It was God’s constant presence that enabled David to accomplish all that he did. This was true in the time before his marriage when David was serving Saul. “And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him” (I Sam. 18:14). It was true when he was staying in Gath and going out on raids against Israel’s enemies. “David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish” (I Sam. 27:9). It was true after Ziklag was taken and David went in pursuit. “And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives” (I Sam. 30:18). It was true after David became king. “Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went. … And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went” (II Sam. 8:6,14; II Chr. 18:6,13). Only some of the stories overtly state that God was with David, but they all imply it. There is no other explanation.

From beginning to end, God’s presence makes all the difference. May you find great comfort in His constant presence, and may God through His presence give you much help and blessing.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA