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Of all the Bible characters we read about, I am most fascinated with David. Was he a perfect man? According to scripture, he was far from it. Even so, God said that David was a man after his own heart. How could this imperfect man be a man after God's own heart? Before we go any further, let's take a quick look at that scripture for the answer. Why? I think it will help us lay some important groundwork for today's subject about the continual need for a fresh and new anointing to complete the task at hand.
After removing Saul, he made David their King. God testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do'.
(Acts 13: 2, NIV)
In almost every translation of this scripture, God's testimony about David being a man after his own heart does not have a period after it. Rather, it is connected to the rest of the sentence with a semi-colon. A semi-colon is simply a pause or connector between two main clauses (or thoughts) that complete one idea. Now, with that in mind, re-read the above scripture. In that connecting clause is the answer to why God said that David was a man after His own heart. You see, in spite of David's weaknesses, and even in spite of his many transgressions, God knew that David would do everything that He asked him to do.
Now, here's an interesting note. When God declared that David was a man after his own heart, He was speaking in future tense! In other words, David hadn't proved at this point in his life that he would do everything that God told him to do. In other words, David still had a lot of life before him! So, how did God know that David would do everything that He asked of him (i.e., obey Him)? God knew because He, Himself, would supply the strength and power that David would need to meet any challenge. And He would also supply the fresh and new anointing that David would need for every season of his life.
Are You In A
NEW SEASON OF YOUR LIFE?
Then You Need
A FRESH, NEW ANOINTING!
"So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David."
(1 Samuel 16: 13, NIV)
My horses, Montana and Samson, were bred to be western pleasure show horses. After many years of "show biz", I gave them a new vocation in life as my equine partners in ministry. They have not only risen to the occasion, but they have been anointed (quite literally) for the task at hand.
Have you ever felt like you were entering a new season of your life, but felt as though you lacked the strength and power to be successful in your endeavors? Have you ever wondered why? I have an answer for you and many other folks who have felt this same way. For every new season of our life, we need a fresh and new anointing (fresh oil). Let's look a bit further at David's life for some proof. In addition to the many times that David, himself, asked God for a special anointing and was granted it, there are at least 3 other times in his life when he was anointed for a very specific and new season of his life.
David was first anointed by Samuel when he was a young boy (1 Samuel 16: 12-13). I believe this anointing set David apart, even in his youth, and assured that he would have the necessary strength and power to one day reach his destiny as King. David was also anointed for a 2'nd time by the men of Judah to be King over the house of Judah after Saul had been buried (2 Samuel 2: 4). No doubt, this was a new season in David's young adult life, and required a fresh and new anointing from that which he had received as a youth. And then later, there came a 3'rd anointing from the elders of Israel. This anointing would be even stronger than those that preceded it. This anointing would give David the strength and power he would need to be the powerful King of Israel (2 Samuel 5: 3)!
Just like with David, there will always be different and new seasons in our life that will demand a higher level of strength and power to see us through. And yes, it will demand a fresh and new anointing. Why? Simply put, we can't fight today's battles on yesterdays anointing, and we can't fulfill our destiny on yesterdays strength and power. We must have fresh oil (anointing for the day and for the task at hand)! The point is, every season of David's life required a fresh and new anointing - an anointing (fresh oil, not old or rancid) that would provide him with the necessary strength and power to be victorious in every new circumstance. Today, it's the same for you and me as believers. From birth to death, there will be many seasons in our life. And just like with David, if we are going to "do everything that God tells us to do", then we will need a fresh and new anointing to run our race!
A New Thing
equals
A NEW RACE!
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
(Isaiah 43: 19, ESV)
One of the downsides to working with arena horses is that they can become dull from doing the same routines over and over again. Just like with people, when a horse becomes dull or bored, he loses his motivation. Every day I work hard to keep my horses "fresh" by offering up challenging new tasks for them to do. New tasks not only helps to keep them on their game by causing them to use the thinking side of their brain, but it also challenges them to move forward with their own unique gifts and talents.
Just like with people, some of the best performance horses are those who (through years of repetition) have learned to do something a certain way. After awhile, they get pretty good at their job, settle in, and don't like a lot of change. Then, the day comes when they are required to do something a different way. The result is often a frustrated or scared horse, at least initially. Why? The horse finds himself thrust into a new situation which calls for a new way of doing things, and possibly, even new surroundings, and a new and unfamiliar career or life change. Whether we're talking about horses or humans, that can be a pretty overwhelming and a scary deal, especially the older you get! Take for example the Thoroughbred race-horse who has spent his entire life on the racetrack...
One day the young Thoroughbred is galloping around the track like the wind. Then suddenly, he wakes up one morning a little older, only to find that he's no longer a racehorse. Now, he has become some teenage girl's part-time endurance riding prospect. Or perhaps she plans to make him a hunter-jumper. He tries to adjust, but it's tough. He moves quickly and even gracefully towards the first jump, only to stop dead in his tracks with fear. "You want me to do what?" he asks his new owner with his long legs shaking. It will call for a complete mind-body transition (a new anointing, if you will) if this horse has any chance to be successful in his new life. Ultimately, if the horse is willing to be obedient and accept this new season of his life, it can literally catapult him into a new, bright, and even better future than anything he ever experienced in his past!
If you are a child of God (a true believer), then I can unequivocally tell you that God is calling you to a new season in your life. The Bible says that God is making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert for His children. Why is He making a way? God is making a way because He intends for us to move forward in our life! And so, I leave you with a question that only you can answer for yourself. Do you perceive the new season and the new thing that God is doing? It is not enough for me, or even others, to perceive it. You must perceive it. If you do, then it's time for you to take the old proverbial bull/ox by the horns (sorry, I just couldn't resist that one)! And it's time for you to receive a fresh and brand new anointing - an anointing that will surely thrust you into the most wonderful and amazing season of your life!
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