From Anointing to Anointing

Daily Devotion for December 15^th

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.  So Samuel rose up, and wend to Ramah. – 1 Samuel 16:13 

Anointing is the single greatest component in our service for God.  We cannot be effective without it.  Sure a child of God can run to and fro, stirring up dust, but when the dust settles, how many lives are changed?  God desires you to be anointed; filled with His Spirit for the mission He wants you to complete.  Many people believe they can simply choose their own plans or way they desire to serve God, but anointing from God doesn’t come through desiring our will, but surrendering ourselves unto God’s will.  In order to be effective in your vocation as a Christian, you must be anointed to perform that task.

As the scriptures reveal, David was anointed on three separate occasions.  1 Samuel 16:13, 2 Samuel 2:4 & 2 Samuel 5:3.  According to the scriptures, a holy concoction of oil was smeared or poured upon people or vessels which consecrated them to specific purposes.  Friend, do you realize that God has a specific purpose for you?  Your desire to seek God and find His will and finally, surrender to His will, will bring the anointing to you.  God will not send you onto the battlefield unprepared.  

David was anointed on three separate occasions.  His first anointing was by the prophet Samuel.  After this anointing, Goliath fell.  God had anointed David to defeat the Philistines.  Samson was anointed by God to defeat the Philistines as well.  The disciples had been given power and authority in Luke 9 to perform great and mighty things in the kingdom of God.  This is the only way men and women can be effective.  The only way a small, ruddy young man could defeat a giant soldier is through God’s anointing.  Do you know God’s will for your life?  If so, then step into it.  Once you do, the anointing for that task will come.  Just trust God.  After all, He does the work anyway. Do you ever wonder why there are times when you’re anointed to do certain things in ministry and know beyond doubt that God is on you? 

Do you ever wonder at other times when you feel the anointing has left?  It’s because the assignment was finished and the anointing for that assignment is gone.  Many pastors stay at a church long after God is finished with them.  Many bible teachers remain the teacher of a bible class long after their anointing is gone.  It’s not that the pastor or teacher did anything wrong, but that their assignment was completed.  It is at this time, we must seek God for the next assignment and ask Him to anoint us for that task.  As Christians, we must go from anointing to anointing.  We cannot; we will not be effective in this world without God’s Spirit.