Respect God’s anointed ones.

Scripture:
1 Samuel 24:6 “And he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing his is the anointed of the LORD.”

Observation:
This is the first of two times that David could have killed Saul, who hunted David down like a dog. He and his men were hiding out in a cave that Saul and his men rested and spent the night in. David’s men wanted him to execute Saul, but David refused to do so because God had anointed Saul king over Israel regardless of how wrong and ruthless Saul was.

Application:
Too many people in the church today have little if any regard for their leadership particularly their pastor. Churchgoers think that they can address the men and women of God anointed to serve in leadership positions in any fashion or tone of voice they choose. They had better learn to heed the words of their mentor, David, regarding those that God places into power.

Daniel, Paul, and other teachers of the Word taught us to respect all authority because the LORD has placed it there. However, those whom God specifically anoints to be the keepers of his sheep deserve a greater respect than others. We do so not because the person is deserving of admiration (because we are all made in the image of God and thus should respect one another) but for the reason that God’s Spirit has called that person to lead.

In David’s day, the leaders were “anointed” with oil symbolizing the pouring of God’s Spirit upon that person and God’s acceptance of the person to serve in ministry whether as king or priest. Today, we still anoint with oil those that are ordained of God to lead and serve in ministry.

If we are wise, we will not ridicule, profane or mistreat God’s anointed. For if we do, we will answer to the Almighty. Instead, let us submit ourselves to the authority that God has placed over us in our local assemblies. The pastorate must answer to God’s authority for what one does in that office. As we submit ourselves to local authority, we are covered under God’s authority even if the pastorate should err. James exhorts us that we should not praise God on the one hand and curse brethren on the other. Bitter and sweet water don’t come out of the same fountain simultaneously.

Prayer:
Father, help me to always stay submitted to the authority of my pastor. There are times I might disagree with policy or procession or protocol, but I know that so long as I am under his authority, I am under your grace even if he should err. Help me to use the Word appropriately to teach, reprove, rebuke and instruct people in respect of our leadership. The gossip needs to cease in our local assembly. LORD, I ask you to send your Spirit to convict people of this great sin and realize the damage that it does. We need peace and unity in our body, or we will never grow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.