The Anointing

“Now’s your opportunity!” David’s men whispered to him. “Today the LORD is telling you, ‘I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.’” So David crept forward and cut off a piece of the hem of Saul’s robe. But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this to my lord the king. I shouldn’t attack the LORD’s anointed one, for the LORD himself has chosen him.” [1 Samuel 24.4-6]

Just because someone says. "the LORD says..." doesn't mean the LORD actually said.

No one would have been closer to David than the people who were telling him that God had placed Saul in his path to kill him. They meant well. They meant to protect David. They had David's best interests at heart. Or... so they thought.

David's respect for the anointing upon Saul was in fact respect for the anointing upon himself. Think about it - the same prophet, Samuel, anointed them both on behalf of the same God. David had chosen to live by the principle of anointing rather than the moment of circumstance. It was, after all, good for him too. How could David ever rely on God to preserve his life because of  'the anointing' if he did not trust God to preserve Saul because of 'the anointing'? David had an epiphany of this there in that cave in En-gedi.

So, what about this 'anointing'? Here's how it went for Saul and David respectively:

As Saul turned and started to leave, God gave him a new heart, and all Samuel’s signs were fulfilled that day. [1 Samuel 10.9]

So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah. [1 Samuel 16.13]

It is important to understand that David's men who encouraged him to kill Saul were operating in the best possible service to David that they were capable of. But they did not know the anointing like David did. David. on the other hand, knowing the anointing and its power firsthand, understood better than anyone there that to disregard 'the anointing' upon Saul was to disregard 'the anointing' upon himself.

While there is much that could be discussed here, it seems prudent to remind ourselves that neither Saul nor David anointed themselves. To be certain, David could not understand Saul's desire to kill him, but he understood 'the anointing' in such a meaningful way that he would not kill Saul (who, otherwise fully deserved to be killed). Samuel was the common denominator for Saul and David. His leadership in their lives was significant.

Here is something to ponder: both Saul's and David's lives were noticeably changed when the Spirit of the LORD came upon them at their respective anointings. We also see in the Gospels that Jesus' life was drastically changed when He was anointed with the Spirit of God at His baptism.

After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” [Matthew 3.16-17]

It was after this 'anointing of the Spirit' that Jesus first went into the wilderness and was tempted by the devil then began to perform miracles while declaring the Good News (that there is forgiveness of sins for all who repent).

So, we should understand where this is going...

When the Spirit of God comes upon us, there should be change. And, when the Spirit of God is upon us, we should honor that anointing upon others whether we agree with them or not. How do we know they are 'anointed'? The same way we know we are 'anointed,'  - the same way we knew Jesus to be anointed: by the powerful and noticeable change. Everyone knew Saul that was changed when he prophesied. Everyone knew David was changed when he played the harp or fought giants. Everyone knew Jesus was changed when He resisted Satan and began to preach and do miracles.

But now we see the problem today, don't we? Who among us has been noticeably changed? Who's life has been noticeably overcome by the indisputable power of the living God? Samuel told Saul what would happen to him, and it did. 

Jesus told us what would happen to us! Oh, we talk about it, but who among us today is walking in the same anointing that Jesus said we would walk in?

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

Let's be very clear: talking (preaching, teaching) about the anointing and walking in the anointing are two distinctly different things! David's men recognized and talked about the anointing upon David, but David walked in it!

Yes, as it should be, this is a huge indictment upon 'believers' today!

For the record, the anointing doesn't make us zombies. As we saw with Saul David and even Jesus, they all had to decide for themselves to honor the anointing in themselves and others.

Father, help us to take an honest inventory of our lives in regard to Your anointing. May it take priority over any and everything else. So be it.