Touch Not God's Anointed

In the last blog, we saw how Saul lost his anointing and his kingdom because he didn’t hear God’s voice for himself. At the same time, David is also anointed king. Look at the difference even right after he’s anointed. Samuel leaves him in the field alone, and David has little choice but to hear God’s voice for himself. Sometimes God has to let us go through things alone so we'll learn to hear His voice, and sometimes God anoints us for tasks so big that He has to be sure we can hear His voice, because the task is too important not to.

What I find interesting is that Samuel has now anointed two kings, who are both still alive, but only one can be on the throne. David has been anointed king, but he's sitting in the field watching sheep. It would have been easy to get frustrated and try to figure out how to fight his way to be king. But David knew that God will work out His will in His time, and we don't have to try to figure it out for Him.

Later on, David is on the run from Saul. David and his men are in a cave when Saul comes in. Saul lays down and goes to sleep right in front of them, unguarded. If I were David, I probably would have taken it as divine providence. "God has anointed me as king, and given me the perfect opportunity to kill this king and become king! This must be God's will." But David doesn't do that. His men even think he should, but David says not to touch God's anointed. Wow! Think about how many church splits would have been prevented if people had read this verse and understood it.

Maybe God has put a great anointing on you (David was anointed, too). Maybe the leadership in place right now is out of the will of God (Saul was, too). Maybe you even have a chance to undermine that authority, and others are willing to follow you (David had this opportunity). But wait on God! If God has called you, He will place you. Be careful not to touch God's anointed! Respect authority, and God will promote you.