Have a head of joy
(Psa 23:5 NIV) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
(Heb 1:9 NIV) You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”
The Bible uses the symbolism of a head anointed with oil with a head of joy.
A beautiful person is a joyous person. Have you met someone who is good-looking but does not attract you because that person has a sad countenance?
There are many reasons for a Christian to rejoice. A Christian can rejoice because God has promised to meet his every need.
John 16:24 (NIV) Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
Even in times of difficulties, a Christian can rejoice if he sees that God is working through that situation to give him a better future.
Rom 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Have a head full of blessings
Jacob declared that the abundance of his blessings would rest on the head of his youngest son, Joseph.
(Gen 49:26 NIV) Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains, than the bounty of the age-old hills. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers.
Joseph was displeased that his father Jacob put his hand upon his younger son Ephraim and pronounced blessings on him, instead of his elder son, Manasseh.
(Gen 48:17-18 NIV) When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. {18} Joseph said to him, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”
When church leaders pray for us, they often place their hands on our heads and pronounce God’s blessings on us. Are we receptive of God’s blessings? Do not miss out the opportunity to have church leaders pronounce God’s blessings on us.
Have a head anointed for service to God
(Exo 29:7-9 NIV) Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head. {8} Bring his sons and dress them in tunics {9} and put headbands on them. Then tie sashes on Aaron and his sons. The priesthood is theirs by a lasting ordinance. In this way you shall ordain Aaron and his sons.
In the Biblical times, a person would have his head anointed by oil by his leaders to set him apart for ministry. The anointing is a symbolic act that carries great power. Jesus Himself was called the Messiah, which means the Anointed One.
Have you been anointed and prayed over by your leaders to set you apart for your ministry?
Have a head bowed in humility
(Isa 58:5 NIV) Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?
Bowing one’s head is associated with being humble. The Bible teaches us to have a bent head, a humble spirit. Humility is the pre-requisite for success in life.
(Prov 16:18 NIV) Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
(Mat 23:12 NIV) For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
(1 Pet 5:6 NIV) Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Avoiding a head of doubt
(Mark 15:29-30 NIV) Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, {30} come down from the cross and save yourself!”
Do we shake our heads in doubt over what God had promised us? The Bible is full of examples of people who had doubted God. Abraham’s wife, Sarah, doubted that God could give her a child in her old age and she was reprimanded. The Israelites doubted that they could possess the Promised Land and many were not permitted entry as a result.
God cannot channel His blessings towards you if you have doubt.
(James 1:5 NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Avoid a head of rebellion
(Rev 13:5 NIV) The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months.
(Rev 14:9-10 NIV) If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, {10} he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.
In the last days, the book of Revelation tells us that a beast will arise, who will lead in the rebellion against God. People will follow the beast, aligning themselves to the beast with his mark on their foreheads and joining in the rebellion against God. Eternal torment awaits the people who rebelled against God.
Are we guilty of rebelling against God? Do we follow what He says in His word?
Read more about submission to God
Do we disobey God’s appointed leadership? Rebelling against God’s leadership is tantamount to rebelling against God?
Read more about submission to church leaders
Avoid hanging your head in shame
Job was so filled with shame in his affliction that he could not lift up his head.
(Job 10:15 NIV) If I am guilty–woe to me! Even if I am innocent, I cannot lift my head, for I am full of shame and drowned in my affliction.
Joseph prophesied that the Pharaoh’s cupbearer, who was with him in prison, would have his glory restored.
(Gen 40:13 NIV) Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer.
The Psalmist trusted in God to bestow glory on himself.
(Psa 3:3 NIV) But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
Are you hanging your head in shame because of your present difficulties? God wants to lift up your head and restore you the glory. Like the Psalmist you have to call upon the Lord to do that. You have to believe that He can.