The LORD's Anointed

I have been reading through 1&2 Samuel over the last few weeks and the phrase, "the LORD's Anointed" has been sticking in my mind.

The Old Testament records three types of positions that the LORD anoints: Prophet, Priest, and King. God anoints those who will speak on His behalf to the people (prophet), those He calls to minister his word and worship before the people (priest), and those He sets apart to provide special leadership in His kingdom...

In 1&2 Samuel David is found running from King Saul, who intends to kill David. Several opportunities are given to David to take the life of Saul, but David refuses to end or stop that which God has begun and set apart for His own service.

I have heard the term, LORD's anointed, used many times to describe those in specific roles of service in God's kingdom - specifically Pastors, Deacons, and Missionaries... Those that have been called and ordained. I don't want to belittle any of these offices in the kingdom, but I also don't want to leave out the truth.

The truth is this: every person who has repented of their sin and received forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ is a Priest in the kingdom of God. Every person. Every father who is a disciple of Jesus (see Priest) has been anointed by God as Prophet to his children. It is his role to speak the truth of God to his children's hearts so that they may know their sin and fear God.

The point that struck me this morning is simple: Believers in Jesus are all anointed. We are all called to be set apart and live lives of worship and ministry before a sinful world. Wow. Jesus has not only saved His disciples, but He has anointed them as priests in His kingdom!

So the next question I asked was, how long? How long are we to be Priests? How long was David King? How long was Saul King? How long was Samuel a prophet? For life... Until you die. Here is the interesting part: Believers, true disciples of Jesus, will not die - the bible teaches that they have already passed from death to life and will live with the LORD forever.

How long are we to be holy, set apart, living lives of worship and ministry before the LORD and others? Forever.

Is this exciting to you? Are you like me, energized by the idea of living eternity in worship and ministry - loving others the way that Jesus loves... Does this news put a huge smile on your face and a sense of longing to be with the LORD?

Here is the problem: Many of us approach our faith like it is a huge burden that we have to carry for a time if we want to make it to the kingdom. Living a holy life, attending worship, reading and studying the word, edifying others are all things that some of us view as a hindrance and crutch that we have to deal with in order to escape from the torment of Hell... The problem is that eternity is not going to be filled with lust and greed and selfishness. It can't, because those things are sinful and there is no sin in heaven.

Are you struggling to find the joy in holiness and the fun of the Christian faith. Are you looking back to your life before Christianity with longing? You are not alone in your struggle. Take the time right now to pray to God and tell Him about your struggle. Ask God to help you to find the joy in your faith.