“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 16:13
In the book of Haggai, though the circumstances vastly differ from those when David was anointed king of Israel, the basic issues were the same. They were primarily spiritual in nature, ordered by God, and accompanied by God’s visitation of individuals who were instrumental in the accomplishing of great things. For David, his anointing was the beginning of a monumental, and prosperous reign as King. For though he would make some very serious mistakes, he knew His God, and the way to seek and find Him.
In the days after the Israel’s exile in Babylon, when the will of God was for the temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem, the blessing of God was revealed in the stirring up of the people to believe God, especially in the face of real opposition, and human impossibility. For both David and Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah in his day, both men were faced with the great reality that Zachariah the prophet so clearly communicated from the Lord: “This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ saith the Lord of hosts.” (Zech. 4:6) Both David and Zechariah were “shut up,” or brought face to face with the reality that God, by the Spirit, was the ONLY answer to the need at hand, whether physical, social, intellectual, or spiritual. The Spirit of God alone would be the key, in answer to faith, to overcome the mountains before each man, each in his role, and for God’s purpose. But how were these men brought to the place of faith, so that they could believe God for His highest and best? How would they individually overcome the enemy of our souls, and the physical obstacles around them, to “see the glory of God?” The answer lies in the matter of imminency, that firm conviction and commitment of laying hold on God in the present moment, according to the promise of God. There would be the very real position of faith claimed, with the refusal to move, that the God who had called them, was faithful to meet them.
There is no doubt that the Spirit of God was working in the life of David before he was anointed as a young man by Samuel to be king. However, there came a day, an hour, a moment, when a specific blessing was conferred upon David. It was not because David was a very attractive individual, endowed with many great qualities, and capacities, from a human standpoint. It was because God saw in His heart a responsiveness to the things of God that was greatly sought by God. Since God told Samuel that looking at the external can deceive, and lead one astray with regard to the choice and purpose of God, it would be by the looking at the heart that the real truth, and purposes of God could be accomplished. God found in David a young man who would do all His will. However, there would of necessity be an anointing, a specific act by which David would not only be anointed with physical oil, but with the very Spirit of God. Scripture tells us, “…the Spirit of the Lord came upon David FROM THAT DAY FORWARD.” David’s dependency upon the Spirit of God began that day, with the consequent blessing of His power, wisdom, and grace. David was now equipped to go forth in faith, knowing that the Spirit of the Lord would be the power by which he would lead the people, and conquer their adversaries.
Haggai, a contemporary prophet with Zechariah, come to the same conclusion. God’s will of was clearly revealed to him concerning the Temple. The evident working of God in stirring up the people was so clearly seen. But the final basis, and powerful provision for faith, would come with the words: “…from this day, will I bless you.”
Dear Father, Stir us up today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.