Unfolding Promises

Saul was still king. He still wore the crown and the robes of state. On the stage of history, Saul still reigned; but in the realms of Heaven, he had been rejected. God sent Samuel on a mission to anoint a new king. Can you hear the Mission Impossible music? Cuz Samuel sure could...

Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. ---1 Samuel 16:1b--5

Then, God taught Samuel something about our spiritual resume...

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”---1 Samuel 16:6--7

Enter David, the shepherd boy...

Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. ---1 Samuel 16:8--12

Understand, he was a working shepherd. He was dressed like a shepherd, and I have no doubt that he stunk like sheep. The seven older brothers who’d just faced rejection, were looking at their little brother... The one that they teased and picked on regularly. After all, he was the youngest...

They watched Samuel pour oil over David’s head.

And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.---1 Samuel 16:12b--13a

The oil is a picture of The Holy Spirit. Remember, He did not become an indwelling Presence, until after Pentecost.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. --John 14:16-17

In that moment, David’s family watched him become King...From the moment the oil was poured, in Heaven’s sight, David was King. Of course he had to grow into the role. It took time for the visible reality on Earth to match Heaven’s agenda. From the point of anointing, David was definitely King. He lacked the human recognition of his rank and position; but the anointing granted David reassurance and security, through that "unfolding time". When Saul tried to kill him–more than once, when he was living the life of a fugitive and hiding out in caves, David could lean on the promise carried in that anointing; and could know that the fear, the loneliness, and the lack of stability wouldn’t last forever.

If God has planted a promise in your soul, if He keeps drawing you to certain promise in His Word, hang onto that promise. That is your point of anointing. Let it be your security and reassurance, until His promise comes into full bloom in your life. It will bloom, because God cannot lie.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. --James 1:17

What He has for you, He will accomplish through you.

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. --Philippians 1:6

One final note... If you are in fugitive mode, remember that God did not abandon David, during that “unfolding time”. While he was forced to live in caves, God gave him the comfort of his dad, Jesse, and his brothers (1 Samuel 22:1)...

And while Saul’s insane threats plagued him, Jonathan’s unconditional love and loyalty lifted him (1 Samuel 23:14–18)...

Those little boosts made the dark days a little easier to bear, by reminding David of the blessings that were coming...If you find yourself crouched in a cave, and biding your time, look for those “booster moments”. I promise they are there! A friend who believes that promise as thoroughly as you do and points out that the cave is not a permanent address for you... A loved who looks at you and sees what God sees, reminding you that baby-steps are still steps... Or maybe it’s just a friend, who helps you light a fire, so the cave isn’t so cold... Enjoy those boosters!

When His promise comes into full bloom, we will find that it was well worth the wait!

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. --Isaiah 40:31