“…What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father that he is trying to take my life?” – 1 Samuel 20:1
The cost of being one of God’s anointed can be great. Those whom God has anointed for service and influence in His Kingdom go through a special preparation.
David was anointed to be the next king over Israel. Shortly after this, while still a young boy, he was brought into King Saul’s service to play music in Saul’s court. While there, the opportunity to stand up against Goliath elevated David for his next stage of development as the future king. As his popularity grew so did Saul’s jealousy. However, even Saul’s jealousy was God’s instrument for molding and shaping David.
Saul finally decided he could no longer tolerate David’s success and popularity among the people, so he tried to kill David. The confused young shepherd boy spent many years hiding in wilderness caves before he was able to see the hand of God in all of this. No doubt David thought that when Samuel anointed him he would be conveniently raised up to be king with all the accompanying benefits of kingship. Not so. God’s preparation of David involved much persecution, disloyalty, and hardship. These were the lessons necessary to be a godly king. God brought many tests in David’s life, just as He did with Saul. David passed these tests. Saul did not.
When God anoints us, it often is accompanied by some severe tests. These tests are designed to prepare us for the calling God has on our life. Should we fail these tests God cannot elevate us to the next level. For a Christian believer, these tests often involve money, relationships, and other issues of the heart.
What if God has chosen you for a specific purpose in His Kingdom? Are you passing the tests He is bringing about in your life? These tests are designed to bring about greater obedience. In most instances, it will involve great adversity. The Bible tells us that the King of kings learned obedience through the things that He suffered (see Hebrews 5:8). If this is true, why would it be any different for His children? Be aware of the tests God brought before you in order to prepare you for His service.
It is a wonderful thing to praise the Lord! He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. God counts the number of the stars and calls them all by name. Great are You, Lord, and mighty in power. Your understanding is infinite. You lift up the humble and cast the wicked down to the ground. I praise you Lord, you who covers the heavens with clouds and prepares rain for the earth. You, oh Lord who makes grass to grow on mountains and gives food to beasts of the earth.
Christians praise you Lord, the One whom we trust to heal our hurts and binds up our wounds . . . and provide our needs. We bless you, in Jesus’ name.
