Anoint (ed)
- To rub or sprinkle on; apply an unguent, ointment, or oily liquid to;
- To consecrate or make sacred in a ceremony that includes the token applying of oil: He anointed the new high priest;
- To dedicate to the service of God.
God bless the people of the Lord – what a time to be in ministry! You are well aware of the challenges and spiritual condition of our nation, families and churches today – we are in the last days for sure. I can hear the words of the Apostle Paul to his spiritual son Timothy:
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
There is unprecedented wickedness, weakness and inconsistency in seemingly every area of leadership. Our governmental leaders have failed to uphold godly principles. Our church leadership has compromised the Word of the Lord. Our academic leaders have failed to educate our children, and some have turned to taking advantage of those most vulnerable. The leadership in our congressional halls have passed ungodly and biased laws. Parents no longer raise their children as God instructed and as a result, our children do not know the God that our parents told us about. Our children are too good for Sunday School, YPWW, Sunshine Band and Purity Class. They are too good to learn Bible verses and they are too good to bring to church on weeknights (apparently, they need their rest). As I see our families torn asunder and our communities turn their backs on God, I repeat the declaration, “what a time to pastor a church!”
Jesus in the Temple
As was the custom in that day, the men of the town would assemble in the temple to read and discuss the Scriptures. The temple was not only the place of worship, but also served as the center of activity in the community. The task of reading the Scripture was assigned and rotated and needless to say, it was unheard of to miss your assignment. On this particular day the task of reading fell on Jesus. The men in attendance knew Jesus – He had grown up with them. These were men who knew Him as a child, and knew His father, mother and family. After this day, however, things would never be the same.
Jesus read a passage from Isaiah 61 – also called the message for the oppressed. When Isaiah wrote to Judah, they were in captivity as punishment for being disobedient. In the midst of this great trial, Isaiah gave a message of hope for those under bondage.
After Jesus read the Scripture, He closed the book and sat down. The men began to say amongst themselves, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” In other words, they were questioning His acclimation. They probably felt insulted and incredulous! Jesus did not appear to be bothered at all – He knew what He had been anointed to do!
Why was He so confident? I say it was because He had just spent some time with the Lord and the devil. He had been on a 40 day fast, endured the temptation and been ministered to by the angels. Who else was better prepared to declare His anointing and acknowledge His calling with authority than Jesus?
David & Goliath
I simply love the story of David and Goliath. Here stands a young boy who happened upon this giant of a champion who dared defy the Almighty God and the armies of Israel. Goliath was not just a tall man – he was a skilled soldier who stood over nine feet tall! His armament was so heavy he needed an armor bearer to carry his shield. In contrast, David was only armed with a sling shot and five smooth stones!
You do remember this is the same David who had been anointed by Samuel some time earlier to be the next king. Isn’t it good to know that when the challenge presented itself, David did not have to run back to Samuel for another dose of oil? When the bear rose up to hurt the sheep, that anointing was working. When the lion came to attack, the same anointing was working. Therefore, as Goliath shouted threats and predicted what he would do to David – that anointing Samuel poured out on David was yet working. Goliath was defeated and beheaded with his own sword by an anointed vessel of God!
Be encouraged my brother – I know it seems as if you will never come out of what you are in. Hold on my sister – I know it seems impossible. Just remember this, for I tell myself this every day: I am anointed to do this! That’s right, spread the news! I don’t care how bad things appear to be. I don’t care how impossible the task may seem. Spread the news! I have been anointed to do this!
I bless you in the name of the Lord!