The Anointing at the Appointed Time

So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the Lord with the elders of Israel.  And they anointed him king of Israel. 2 Samuel 5:3 (NIV)

Throughout time, God anointed His servants to perform certain tasks.  In many cases, that person had to wait until the appointed time.  Do you remember Abraham?  He was promised a child at 75, yet the appointed time was when he turned 99.  How about Moses?  He was born to lead Israel out of Egyptian captivity, yet the appointed time was when he was 80 years of age.  Even Jesus himself told his mother that His appointed time had not yet come (John 2:4).

David was no exception.  David was a young man when God anointed him to be the next king over Israel.  He however did not become king right away.  Our scripture for today happened at least 10 years after God had anointed him.

It is important for us to know that David’s task was not hidden from him.  He knew exactly what God had called him to do.  He knew he was to be the next king.  It is also equally important for us to understand that David did not attempt to rush God’s timing, which he had ample opportunity to do.  He could have killed King Saul and assumed his rightful place on the thrown.  However it would not have been God’s way or in God’s timing to do so.  Working outside of God’s way and His timing is a sure way of losing His anointing in our lives.

The anointing can be defined as “God on flesh doing those things that flesh cannot do.”  So it is one thing to be called by God to perform a task.  It is another to actually complete it.  Without God’s anointing in us, we can do nothing.  With His anointing, we can do anything.  This is what Paul meant when he said, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

Today let us respect the anointing within us and wait patiently on God’s appointed time.  For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it testifies about the end and will not lie.  Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late. Habakkuk 2:3 (HCS)