When the time of the judges came to an end in Israel’s history, the people begged Samuel for a king. God knew their hearts. Their intentions were earthly and human. When the Israelites looked upon the surrounding nations, they saw that each country was ruled by a human king. They were jealous even though God, who set them free from slavery, was their King. Whenever God would address the Jews, He would call them "My people Israel". God’s relationship with the nation of Israel was that of King. However, Israel perused an earthly King, one that they could touch, see and talk to. God was aware of their desire and of the fact that Israel was not ready to have Him as their only King. They were not prepared to live by faith alone. As a result of Israel’s spiritual condition, God was willing to answer their request. He Himself would choose a man who would seek after His own heart in order to prevent Israel from being led astray by a godless king.
When examining this situation carefully, we can learn a great truth about the anointing of God. In the first book of Samuel, we read how Israel complained of not having an earthly king ( 1 Samuel 8:4-7). God granted their demand by giving them Saul. Saul may have been anointed as king, but he did not have a heart for God. I want to point out that God can generously anoint someone who may not have a heart to serve Him. Saul is a tragic example of this. Not surprisingly, Saul did not last long on the throne of Israel. But God did choose a man after His own heart, a man who loved God and who was willing to serve Him. The life of David is an example of how the anointing functions in a person who is after God’s own heart. In 1 Samuel 16, we see how God choose for Himself the one who was highly anointed to walk in God’s power. God spoke to Samuel and instructed him to fill his horn with oil and go to the house of Jesse "for I have provided myself a king among his sons" (16:1). Samuel did not know which of Jesse’s sons would become king. He did not realize how God qualifies a man to be highly anointed. Even though Samuel was an anointed prophet of Israel and leader, he did not understand the ways of the Lord in this respect. Samuel assumed that God would choose a man of great physical stature, a warrior and a man of experience similar to Saul. To his surprise, God did not choose the one Samuel expected. When Samuel saw Eliab, Jesse’s oldest son, he assumed that he was the Lord’s anointed (v.6). But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance, or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart"(16:6-7). David, the youngest of the brothers was God’s chosen. The Lord does not make mistakes because He knows our hearts. Therefore His choice is always perfect. David was anointed King over Israel even though he actually became King only 10 years later.
Why was David anointed? The answer is found in the Bible. We have learned from David’s life that he loved God with all his heart, walked by faith and was obedient to the Lord. I believe the key to these characteristics was the close relationship David had with God. David knew God as his friend. Only in this kind of relationship can a person develop these characteristics. Even faith in God cannot be strong without a deep relationship with the Master. In chapter 17 of 1 Samuel, David revealed a secret t kept between him and the Lord. When he chose to fight Goliath, David assured Saul by recalling past moments of victory. In chapter 17, verse 34, David said, "your servant used to keep his fathers sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it bi its beard and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the Living God." David, a young boy, was able to defeat the lion and the bear with his bare hands because God was with him. We can safely say that David was walking with God in a close relationship with Him before Samuel anointed him as king. Being alone in the field and watching his fathers sheep, he had ample opportunity to seek, meet and fellowship with the Lord alone. There were no distractions to keep him away from God and His Presence. His heart sought God’s Truth and Power and he found it.
In Isaiah 30:15, God revealed to Israel simple steps towards intimacy with Himself where anyone could find peace, rest and power: "For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your rest, but you would not."
Friends, anyone can be highly anointed by the Lord if he/she will seek God with all their heart, soul and mind. I believe the example of David and many other personalities in the Bible, bring us to a clearer realization of what God can do in our life. Are you open for God to come into your life and develop an intimate relationship with Him? This is the only way to receive a greater anointing. Obviously, this can not happen without Yeshua being in your life as the ultimate sacrifice for your sins.
I pray that today, you will make a decision to walk after God’s own heart, to obey Him and love Him. I pray that your fellowship with the Lord will become so intimate that it would transform your prayer life. If you will do so, your experience with the Lord will become greater than it ever was and will literally change your life and produce a desire for nothing else but God. The outcome is great and powerful; you will be highly anointed by the Lord and you will see signs and wonders following you wherever you go. Get ready. |
