THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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An old fisherman went to a psychiatrist about his son. He told the psychiatrist that he took his son fishing with him very often. However, the son just sat around and made mudpies.
The psychiatrist said, "Well, it's normal for your son to make mud pies."
The fisherman said, "Well, I don't think so. And neither does his WIFE!"
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Ex 27:20
And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.
KJV
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The sweet beaten olive oil can be stored for years and not ruin. It can be used for barter, for medicinal purposes, and for light. The pure olive oil produced a light which had no smoke and little or no scent.
This particular oil was used as a symbol of God's Holy Spirit, causing the light to shine in the tabernacle continually.
Note that the oil was to be brought to the priest. Oil is symbolic for prayer. It is to be brought daily to Christ, our High Priest.
Just as oil protects machinery reducing the wear on parts, so prayer helps us through the "wearing" of daily life. One might say, "Prayer is oil for the daily grind."
The main thing we should see here, though, is that the oil produces light. You'll remember the story in Matthew 25. When the bridegroom came, the "foolish" virgins had no oil; and thus had no light.
As Christians, we need daily prayer in order for God to produce His light within us. Just as the lamp could not produce light without the oil, neither can we produce the shining radiance of our Savior without prayer.
The light from Christians, produced by prayer, is the essence of Christ shining through us to others. This light does not come from pretense, or natural goodness. It does not come from imaginative ceremonies. It comes from WORK! Prayer is WORK and SERVICE to God.
Let us be "lights" in the world, leading to THE Light of Christ.
Let us go daily before Him in servicial prayer so that His grace may shine in us.
Love ya,
Bruce