“You anointed my head with oil” Part 3

I ended my previous blog entry with two questions that I would like to expand on a little more in this entry. I believe that these questions are essential for each of God’s followers to revisit from time to time:

  1. Are you following His call in your own power and strength, or in God’s?
  2. Who gets the glory when you walk in His anointing?

Today, we will look at the first question, and in my next blog entry, I will address the second one.

I believe that the key to David’s success is the fact that he sought the Lord for His will, and was counting on the Lord’s sovereignty to prevail; this heart’s attitude brought incredible blessing and victory to David’s life. Throughout Scripture, we see David again and again seeking God’s instructions, especially before going into battle. One of my favorite stories is from 1 Samuel 23, where we learn how the people of Keilah were rescued from the Philistines:

“Then they told David, saying, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and are plundering the threshing floors.”  So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and deliver Keilah.” But David’s men said to him, “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the ranks of the Philistines?”  Then David inquired of the LORD once more. And the LORD answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.” So David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines; and he led away their livestock and struck them with a great slaughter. Thus David delivered the inhabitants of Keilah.” 1 Samuel 23:1-5

Here we see David seek God before entering a battle. From Scripture, we can understand that at that point David and his men were not in the best position to enter into battle. They were on the run from King Saul – who wanted to kill David and his men – they were hiding, terrified, weary, hungry, and probably felt defeated.  The men even tried to convince David to not enter into battle, yet David, once again was seeking his God. David was aware that he couldn’t rely on his own strength and power, but only on God’s.

It was the same David, as a young shepherd boy, who could not carry the battle garment because it was too big and heavy, so instead relied on the LORD to slay the giant with one stone.  His obedience and faith not only delivered the army of Israel from defeat, but also saved the nation of Israel from being destroyed.  And here that same David, a great leader and warrior, was in a very difficult position, running for his life.  And all the while, David’s men were trying to convince him against going into battle, which seemed the most obvious thing considering their situation.  Yet, in reality, they were trying to sway him against doing what God instructed him to do.

But because David knew his God, he knew that he did not have the power and strength to do anything, and he recalled what God had done in the past.  He knew that without God’s blessing, he would fail; but in the same way, he knew that with God’s power and blessing, no one would prevail against him.

On whose power do you rely? Your own wisdom & knowledge? Your own talent? Or on God’s?  It’s so easy to fall back on that which the world tells us is the “obvious” or “sensible” thing to do, but that may not be the way God is leading you in any given situation.  Yet, you can rely on this truth:  If He calls you, He will equip you, strengthen you, and provide all you need for the journey.

My brothers and sisters, in order to be effective in what we do in our earthly vessels, we must count on God’s power and strength alone; it is vital that we do everything with His anointing… otherwise, we will fail in our own strength.

Shabbat Shalom,

Moran

 

 

3 Comments on ““You anointed my head with oil” Part 3”

  1. It is my desire to be obedient to HIS will when a specific purpose has to be achieved. So, help me L_RD G_D each time. Amen.

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