The anointing oil was everywhere in the Old Testament, and what it represents is absolutely crucial for us today. The Holy Spirit, who anoints us for all holy service, is indispensable if we would serve the Lord acceptably. Without his aid, our religious services are but a vain oblation. Our inward experience becomes a dead thing.

Whenever our ministry lacks this unction, what miserable stuff it becomes! The prayers, praises, meditations, and efforts of private Christians fare not one jot better. A holy anointing is the soul and life of piety—its absence the most grievous of all calamities.

To go before the Lord without anointing? It would be like some common Levite thrusting himself into the priest's office. His ministrations would be sins rather than services. May we never venture upon hallowed exercises without sacred anointings!

They drop upon us from our glorious Head! From his anointing we who are as the skirts of his garments partake of a plenteous unction. Think of it: the choicest spices were compounded with rarest art to form that anointing oil. This shows us how rich are all the influences of the Holy Spirit.

All good things are found in the divine Comforter! Matchless consolation, infallible instruction, immortal quickening, spiritual energy, and divine sanctification—all lie compounded with other excellencies in that sacred eye-salve, the heavenly anointing oil of the Holy Spirit.

It imparts a delightful fragrance to the character and person of anyone upon whom it is poured. Nothing like it can be found in all the treasuries of the rich or the secrets of the wise. It cannot be imitated. It comes alone from God, and it is freely given through Jesus Christ to every waiting soul.

Let us seek it, for we may have it—may have it this very evening! O Lord, anoint thy servants!