It Starts Small

David comes back to using the shepherd and sheep to show us that God loves us so much He protects us. A Shepherd poured oil on sheep for many reasons.

They would put oil in the ears and nostrils of sheep so that flies could not lay their eggs in their noses or ears. If a fly did, when the eggs hatched, they would crawl deep into the ears and nasal cavities of the flies. The pain and discomfort would cause the sheep to forcefully hit their heads against trees and rocks. This resulted in severe injury or death. Shepherds also put oil in the wounds of sheep to help heal wounds to prevent infection and infestation of disease and flies. Their eyes were also suspectable to annoying insects. Spend a little time around livestock and you notice flies and insects hang out around the eyes of livestock. They do not have hands to swipe them away. The oil was a barrier of protection against harmful things hurting the sheep.

Do you have times of mental torment?
Do you have worrisome thoughts invade your mind over and over?
DO you beat your head against the wall trying to get them to stop?
Have you ever asked God to anoint your head with oil?

HE has an endless supply of oil! His oil protects and makes it possible for your heart, mind, eyes, and ears to be fixed on Him!

We need to keep in mind that just like the sheep, we are anointed and protected by our Good Shepherd.

²¹ Now it is God who strengthens us together with you in Christ, and who has anointed us. ²² He has also put his seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Today’s verse refers to a shepherd-sheep relationship, David compares the Lord’s generosity to that of a shepherd who generously prepares a feast for his sheep, spreading the food on a table or trough. As the sheep slept, they were protected by a circular stone wall and the shepherd who slept across the opening. Jesus identified Himself as the door to the sheepfold.

⁷ Jesus said again, “Truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. ⁹ I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.

John 10:7-9

A gracious host would anoint his guest by applying a soothing oil to the guest’s head. A shepherd would use oil to treat his sheep’s wounds. David may have been thinking about the Lord as his host or shepherd when he wrote, “you anoint my head with oil.” Both reveal a Heavenly Father who cares for His children and a Good Shepherd who not only provides but takes care of His precious sheep.