I’m writing this on a Monday. Two Saturday’s ago our dwelling place was invaded with absolute chaos.
It was a spiritual attack.
For quite a few years now my wife and have made our primary residence in a small apartment on her parents’ property. We’re here to take care of them as they run the last leg of their earthly journey. Thus far they’ve both made it to 96 years of age. We strive to make sure their home, and our quarters, are filled with the Spirit of the Lord. This has been a place of fellowship, Bible study, and prayer ever since we arrived here.
If that day of chaos two Saturdays ago was described in a brief, Bible-like, paragraph it might read like this:
Brian and his wife were away for the day while others cared for his wife’s elderly parents, affectionately know as Grandma and Grandpa. Suddenly a spirit of chaos was unleashed on the home. It began when the family cat bit Grandpa’s hand in the middle of the night spreading blood everywhere. Eventually the next 24 hours were marked with blood, urine, and dog feces in the house. The water heater also exploded.
We came back home to absolute chaos.
That’s when the Lord clearly gave me instructions to “anoint each doorpost on the property with oil,” to proclaim to the devil that their property was off limits to any spiritual power, principality, or dark force of the enemy. I was reminded that God also instructs us, Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).
I did all of those assignments with vigor.
One way to appropriate your faith for supernatural protection is to anoint your home with oil. Oil represents the power of the Holy Spirit and is a symbol of faith in God’s ability to cleanse and make holy. It is an act of consecrating your home to Him.
In Exodus 12, God gives Moses instructions for observing the Passover. The families of Israel were to choose a lamb or goat without blemish, and kill it at twilight. They were to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and top of the doorposts of their house. The sacrifice was to be cooked and eaten in their homes, and they were not to go outside until morning.
God told them: “On the same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn…and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.”
“Now the blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague will not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.” (Ex. 12:13).
The Passover lamb was prophetic of the sacrfice Jesus would make for the sins of all. The blood on the doorposts would be forever a sign of protection to be eventually completed with oil rather than blood. Indeed, Jewish people to this day place a mezuzah, containing the Ten Commandments, on their doorpost as a sign of their trust in the God of Creation. My wife and I have one on the door to our apartment. Daily upon entering our domicile it reminds us of the eternal covenant relationship we have with the High Priest of our faith: Jesus the Messiah. The One who stated, “I am the way, truth, and life. No one comes to the Father but by Me.”
Little did I know what was to follow my anointing endeavor. My dear mother-in-law suffered a stroke Sunday night. A few days later she was in hospice care at home. She’s at the end of her journey and soon to see her Savior.
The Lord knew this stroke was to occur. The Bible is clear, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). All forces of evil needed to be on notice to stay off the property as something very significant was about to occur in the life of one of Jesus’ followers.
Upon praying and anointing, the home in which my wife’s mother will conclude this life became one of complete peace. All chaos has been chased away. The family is in unity. The Spirit of God is abundantly evident.
Friends, something very significant is taking place that is worth considering. The entire world is in various stages of of lock-down, mask requirements, and vaccine certificates. What’s being attempted by the devil is unprecedented. It’s much greater in scope than just containing a virus.
God’s calling upon His people to come out of this wicked world. He’s giving specific instructions, as He did Israel, to come under His shelter of protection. We are to place the Blood of Jesus over our doorposts. This includes not only the doorpost of our heart, but our physical dwelling.
Draw near to God as never before. Jesus said the Holy Spirit will remind us of His Word, lead us into all truth, and show us things to come.
Amen
Post Script: My mother-in-law died peacefully last night, surrounded by her husband, children, several grandchildren, and even two great-grandchildren. It turned out to be a precious night of fellowship and conversation that last hours after she passed.
I’m reminded of 1 Corinthians 15:55 –
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”