“So Samuel sent for David and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, ‘Rise and anoint him; this is the one.’ So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.”
- 1 Samuel 16:12-13
Whom the Lord chooses and works through is unlike any way we would choose and work. It is a complete mystery. Of course, God is the greatest known mystery to man, His ways are not reasonable, His will is irrational, and His character is incomprehensible. We could gather every bit of human knowledge on God and it will be incomplete. Which is not necessarily an issue as long as you are content with the divine mystery that is our Lord and Savior, the creator of the cosmos, and merciful King.
Still though, God appears to have standards and choices that include us. Yes, God is fully and entirely sovereign. Whatever He decides and wills can be as He chose. Yet, for some mysterious reason, God chooses to do else wise, He partners with us to bring about Redemption. One of the key figures in this partnership is David, the predecessor to Jesus on the throne, and an example to us all about holiness and devotion to God.
God’s partners tend to stand out a bit too. We have numerous stories in the Bible about the people He partners with and how they are blessed. They tend to be righteous among mankind and faithful to God. Yet, there is one more distinguishing factor, especially for David. God’s partners are anointed, sometimes physically with oil, and other times spiritually with the Holy Spirit. David appears to receive both.
Being Anointed:
An anointing marks one as significant, it sets them aparts and distinguishes them. The best comparison with David’s anointing here would be Baptism. Baptism is a symbol and more. It marks one as in the family of God. Though the water does nothing, all the significance is inward and beyond. When you join the family of God, the Church, it is a declaration of faith and trust.
As an individual, Baptism marks and expresses faith and desire to follow God. There is a desire to be obedient and binds one relationally to God. Need further proof? Look at Jesus’ own baptism. In that even we see the trinity, their complete and united relationship. The Father’s words, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” And the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a Dove, to dwell upon and within Jesus, the Son. It is an amazing and beautiful picture of their unity and relationship, that in our own baptisms, we partake in.
Beyond is a whole other story. For our baptisms are not just about our own individualistic salvation. However, we are ushered into the Body of Christ, the Church. The same Church that is described as children of God. Galatians 3:28 says, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in CHrist Jesus.” So not only, by being anointed into God’s family, can we experience perfect relationships with God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit, but also experience perfect relationships with others who are anointed into the family. It is such a beautifully redemptive picture of salvation.
David, is a forerunner of this perfection of relationships. Though he himself was not perfect, made all too clear by Bethsheba and his sons, David led a holy, obedient, and repentant way of life. For that reason, God anointed him, the last in line of his brothers and the measly little shepherd boy, to be the next king of Israel. David was the foil of Saul.
The Holy Spirit:
It is important to remember that David was anointed with the Spirit of the Lord. For David that meant when he would be king later, it was not a matter of ruling over Israel and fighting their wars. It was all about representing God to the people of Israel. His decisions and actions were meant to be perfect reflections. The same goes for us today.
In baptism, we are accepting our faith and placing our trust in God. Biblically speaking, the Holy Spirit is seen entering into the baptized persons as a form of grace and helping them live a new life. Likewise for us. I believe the Holy Spirit is very active in all those who are pursuing God and the perfect relationships described earlier. The Holy Spirit serves as a guide and a helper. We must trust and lean into the Holy Spirit for help.
It is sadly easier to fall into sinful habits than I believe we would all like to admit. We live in a sexually perverse world. It is all too easy to go on gossiping and finding loopholes to take advantage of others. We can become angry, arrogant, ignorant, and wickedly twisted. But that is then the hope of relying on the Holy Spirit,to daily purify us and makes us better reflect God’s love.
God has so mercifully forgiven us and graced us with the Holy Spirit to help us in this life. Let us not turn away from the God who anointed us, but passionately and persistently pursue our God for greater cleansing and a better life. May the anointed life into the New Life set out by Christ and exemplified in David.
Final Blessing:
Will you pray this?
Lord, the Father who created all. Christ, Son who saved all. Spirit, O Divine helper. Will you graciously forgive me once again, and help me. I realize You have called me to something more than the ways I try to live. Anoint me and sanctify me. Turn me to You and show me the Way of Christ. Show me the way of Obedience so I can praise You.
May the Lord of Life and Redemption be with you in every step, every breath, and every heartbeat of your journey.
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