“When Your Anointing Makes You a Target”
By Rev. Everett R. Kimble, Sr.
“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.” So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul (1 Samuel 24:4–7, NLT).
Living for Jesus and attempting to become everything that God has anointed you to be can be stressful, but we stress because in the midst of struggle it is hard to remember that with God, there really is no need to worry. But while there is no need to worry, we must also be mindful of the dangers around us.
The 16th chapter of 1 Samuel we see David anointed as the next king of Israel amid the disobedience of Saul. He goes on to become a great and mighty warrior also hailed a hero. Where I am from David was what we called “a bad boy” meaning he was very good at what he did, and that was fight. Because David was such a “bad boy” Saul was filled with jealousy which caused him to chase after David constantly intent on destroying him. At the core of Saul’s jealousy was pride. Not because of any boasting or bragging from David, but because David’s anointing made him a target. Sounds strange doesn’t it, to be attacked because of your anointing, but it happens. In fact some of you are being attacked right now because of what God is doing your life.
And here is where I want to encourage you today. You can be “Blessed and not Boastful” and still come under attack. What we learn from David is that we can never take our eyes off God. We must be willing to believe God more than our situation. There were many times David could have given up because the deck seemed to be stacked against him. Even here in this cave he could have taken matters into his own hands but he trusted God and God worked it out.
When you find yourself stuck between your calling and a cause Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Amen. Stand tall, trust God and keep doing what He has anointed you to do. He will work it out for you just like He worked it out for David.
Now, get up and get out there and do what God has called you to do with your “bad self”. Have a fearless and faithful Friday!
