Anointing (mostly just some thoughts)

But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. [1 Samuel 24.5]

What? Really?

In contrast to this event, consider the following:

For I swear by the LORD, the God of Israel, who has kept me from hurting you, that if you had not hurried out to meet me, not one of Nabal’s men would still be alive tomorrow morning.” [1 Samuel 25.34]

So, what was the difference between Saul and Nabal? Anointing.

Even though Saul was no longer operating in the anointing of the LORD, he had still been anointed by Samuel in a ceremony that meant much more than just "ceremony!" How do we know this? Because David refused to kill him!

It is worth noting here that David was not a man of peace. If ever there was a warrior on earth, it was David! One doesn't kill lions and bears and giants so forcefully and so confidently unless he is a true warrior. And, on the other side of that, one doesn't 'mess with' a man like David given to such a disposition of attacking! Abigail recognized that and quickly went to work to address it!

So, back to Saul... What was different about the ceremony of anointing upon Saul that prevented David from annihilating him? It was the Spirit of God... But hadn't God's Spirit left Saul? Yes, it had, however, David teaches us all an important lesson about how holy the LORD and His Spirit are - even to the point that even where He has been is left holy!

I am afraid we don't get this today in our culture and watered-down devotion to God. Otherwise, we would see and exercise more respect for all things 'holy.'

The thing is, God's Holy Spirit, released to live in us by Christ, is no less holy than God Himself, because He is God Himself. 'Believers' today should be much more aware of the implications of this than they (we) are. Like David did with Saul, we should show much more respect for all things 'holy' starting with how we live BECAUSE GOD HAS CHOSEN TO LIVE IN US! Furthermore, we should show much more respect for the Spirit of God living in others. It is all about God's holiness and anointing... But we are painfully ignorant (as a whole) of this - evidenced in pretty much everything we do. There is simply little to no respect of God and His Holy Spirit living in us and in others.

I am ranting here a bit, I know. But, if we are to see God's power manifest in our lives, does it not make sense that we first respect the power of God? We are so worldly, I am afraid, that we are calloused to God and His Spirit. Modern devotion to God (at least in Western culture) is woefully void of the understanding of God's anointing and the power and holiness associated with it. We have a tendency to call anyone who genuinely respects God's holiness "radical, out-of-touch," or "too heavenly-minded."

I think I have not discussed this topic with any constructive conclusion or even continuity, but I know it is worthy of much more attention than we give it!

Father, help me to remain mindful of Your holiness and Your anointing - and what role it plays in the life of believers today relative to Christ (Your Holy Spirit) in us and each other.