{{Today is Friday!!! It is the day I link with Lisa Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday. Here is how it works…. One word prompt. Five minutes. No editing. Lots of women. We all write on the same word.}}
Today the word is … paint.
I sat and stared at the word a few minutes, truly thinking I would not be able to write a single thing. And then the words began going through my mind …
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me.” (Isaiah 61:1, NIV)
Drawing a total blank as to what this verse would have to do with the word “paint”, I did the only thing I could – I flipped to the Old Testament Lexical Aids in the back of my Bible. Here is what I discovered …
The word “anoint” is masah, in the Hebrew. It means “to rub with oil, smear. It signifies a very important part in Jewish ceremony. The action signified that the anointed individual was separated for God’s service and chosen by Him. It was a very serious responsibility and God was the authorizing agent. The Spirit of God was the empowerment”.
What does this have to do with paint, you ask? I am so glad you asked because I was blown away as I continued to read, “Other usages of the term included the painting of a house.”
We as believers house the Holy Spirit within our very being, providing residency for Him. And we have been anointed, painted as a house if you will, to serve our God. He has painted our lives in such a way that we:
- preach good news to the poor
- bind up the brokenhearted
- proclaim freedom to the captives
- release prisoners from darkness
- comfort all who mourn
I started with thinking I had nothing to say about “paint” only to discover that our God has plenty to say about it. He has been painting on the canvas of lives from the beginning of time.
And He is painting on each of ours.
(photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net/Simon Howden)
Today I am joining with …Â Five Minute Friday and Fellowship Fri. and Faith Filled Fri. and Essential Fri. and Fri. Flash Blog and Beauty Observed and Everyday Jesus and Friendship Fri. .
Isn’t it exciting to see how He’s painting on our canvases? Great post, Joanne!
Thanks, Holly. It is exciting to see all the painting He does on all of our lives!
Wow! How incredible our God is to lead your thoughts and orchestrate this post! So blessed by your words!!!
I was so blown away & only had 5 minutes to get it all down 🙂 Thank you for stopping here!
Wonderful to see The Lord’s hand at work! Anointed Words, indeed.
Thank you so much for stopping here.
Wonderful to see God’s Hand at work. Anointed Word indeed for Five Minute Friday and everyday. 🙂
This is beautiful! And as I often sit feeling less than adequate these words have encouraged and pointed out the truth that we are His handiwork, His masterpieces to display His glory! Thank You for sharing!
May you know to the depths of your being that you are adequate because of Who lives in you! I am so glad you shared!
This was a great reminder of who we are and God’s handiwork in our lives.
Thank you, Debbie. By our lives end, we will each be a masterpiece 🙂
Oh wow, oh wow, how amazing the way God spoke to you here! Chills!
Thank you, Laura. It gave me chills as I read my lexical aids. My only problem was getting it down in the 5 minutes. Grateful that we connected!
Overwhelmed!! Oh my, I had no idea! I thought I knew what “anointing” meant….but I had never read this. Such a blessing today, Joanne…thank you so much for this great devotion this morning! ♥
Nanette, I had no idea either that there was more to the word “anointing”. I love FMF as it is always amazing to see what one word can prompt in each of us. I enjoyed each post of yours I read this morning. You are a blessing!
Oh WOW – this is tight friend! Just beautiful — an anointing. My heart is in awe. I want to paint all the more vividly now. Glad to find you!
Can’t quit thinking about it — to be anointed with oil – oh, to be painted by God.
This is awesome…I love how God truly spoke to you and through you! Blessings. 🙂
Thank you, Mel. I love how one word can prompt us to think as much as it does. And we each get such different thoughts. Glad you stopped here. Have a great week!
Ok, that is super cool!
TOO COOL!! I feel so… educated now 🙂 Thanks for bringing this really neat fact to light today. Awesome. (And thanks for connecting with #EverydayJesus)
Glad you enjoyed it! Have a great week as you reflect all that He has done for us!