"Preservation Oil"

"Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities." (Psalms 141:5)

   Not sure where to start, but I am pretty sure where this will end. The 23rd Psalm has a very close relationship to all that is being said; mostly because this is more about the outcome, and less about what is involved in the process. In reality, that is where our heart needs to be, focused upon the end result, and not worried about anything that is happening along the way! When we are praying for preservation from evil, it includes evil on all sorts, and on all different levels; including what goes on in our own heart, especially when it comes to how we react to the things that might come against us. If you recall, David was more than able to have taken Saul out, if he really wanted to; but he was not willing to go against God's anointed, even at his own expense. The very next Psalm will give some insight into one of those instances. There were several times when those that were with David became concerned about his choices, especially when he chose not to take Saul out when given the chance. Besides, it is our sin that will cause the breaking of our head, not the reproof. As Matthew Henry puts it, "It shall not break my head, if it may but help to break my heart." The thought here is really quite simple; because God does listen, and because David's intent is to be made right with God, at whatever cost, the intent of those that carry out anything against him, no matter how or who it might be, God will use it for his good; and any mischief they planned against him, would fall back on them. I guess it really goes back to faith, as in, faith that God has chosen you, that He has a plan for you, and that He will fulfill that which He has begun in you. If that is what you believe, then nothing that happens along the way will change your belief. Even though you might have moments of doubt and periods of wanting to give up, He will sustain you, in one way or another; whether it be by using the righteous, or by using the wicked; either way, if He allows it to happen, and He has a plan for you, it is going to be for the good! I was listening to Pastor Mike praying for someone that had a loved one dealing with kidney cancer. There was something he said that really made me aware of how fragile this life really is, yet how powerful the life we have in Christ is in comparison; that is, if you truly believe it to be! That is truly our preservation oil, to be His and to know that whatever happens, you are always His, even to the very end...

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Galatians 6:7-9)