The Lord’s Anointed

Honoring the Lord’s anointed means trusting God’s timing and authority. Support and pray for those He has called, rather than rushing to judge.

“The LORD forbid that I would reach out with my hand against the LORD’S anointed!”—1 Samuel 26:11 NASB

Abishai felt completely justified. He had accompanied David as he fled from Saul’s wrath, and when Saul and his entourage stopped nearby, David and Abishai snuck into their camp at night. To Abishai, this presented a perfect opportunity, and he told David, “Today God has handed your enemy over to you” (v. 8). He was ready to eliminate their pursuer!

While this seemed logical to Abishai, David knew that Saul had been anointed by God. He argued that Saul’s destiny was in God’s hands: “The LORD certainly will strike him, or his day will come that he dies, or he will go down in battle and perish” (v. 10).

David recognized that those who had been appointed by God, flawed as they may be, represented God and were given unique privileges and responsibilities (Exodus 28). While he knew as well as anyone that Saul had sinned, he also knew that this was an issue for God to address.

Today, many people, both Christians and non-Christians, have the kind of attitude displayed by Abishai. They see faults in pastors, evangelists, teachers, and other Christians, and they look for opportunities to attack.

But God’s Word reminds us that we need to have the kind of attitude displayed by David. We should respect men and women who have been called by God by praying for them, supporting them, and recognizing that our attitude toward God’s servants reflects our attitude toward Him.

Reflection Question: How can you show respect for those God has anointed?