By Robert Hooley
The high, ultimate, divine purposes, for which you were created will only find fulfillment by the anointing of God successfully resting upon your life.
Are you experiencing genuine lasting peace and fulfillment in your Life? Here is a master key, a paramount truth directly affecting the destiny of every person on the planet earth.
Scripture teaches us that the anointing entails the personal presence of God the Holy Spirit. Psalms 28:5 tells us the anointing involves the works of the Lord, the operation of his hands. Psalms 28:8 declares that God himself becomes the saving strength of his anointed.
The Bible identifies Jesus Christ as the anointed one. The name Christ or Messiah literally contains this meaning. The Messiah was sent into this world to do the works of the Lord, the operation of God’s hands. Isaiah 61:1-3 spells this out clearly. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.“
Acts 10:38 says, “ . . . God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Habakkuk 3:13 makes it clear that the anointing is given for the salvation of God’s people. By his substitutionary death on the cross, his burial, his resurrection, and his ascension to heaven, Jesus Christ our Lord fulfilled the high purposes of his calling. Because he loves righteousness and hates iniquity, Hebrews I :9 declares that God has anointed him with the oil (or spirit) of gladness above all others. He is our example. He shows us the way to salvation, fruitful works, inner peace, and gladness.
NONE LIKE IT
In Exodus chapter 30:23-25, Almighty God revealed to Israel a formula to make a holy anointing oil. There was none like it. It was not to be duplicated. It was not to be hastily or unwisely put upon human flesh or other usage. It was obviously sacred, and it was especially linked to divine purposes. Members of the Old Testament priesthood were anointed (or smeared) with this oil. This occurred only after they were consecrated and rightfully committed to their high calling. Prophets, kings, and others were also anointed to the performance of their responsibilities and callings. The tabernacle, and all of its furniture, was likewise anointed to the Lord’s service. As believers today, God’s anointing upon every aspect of our lives is of utmost importance. Herein, will we find proper motivation and strength for accomplishment of our life’s calling.
In Psalms 2:2 we read that the kings of the earth set (or anoint) themselves. They gird themselves in opposition to a personal walk with the living God. Scripture is clear that it is impossible to duplicate and accomplish by personal human ingenuity what God’s anointing alone will inspire and fulfill in our lives. All other works, no matter ho outwardly successful, will never pass the fiery test at God’s judgement seat.
A tragedy within the scope of modern day religion is the adoption and proclamation of humanistic ways and formulas for success often without even a vague mention about the place of God’s anointing. In the days of the great administrator Nimrod , a massive religious in-gathering of people occurred at the tower of Babel (Genesis 10 and 11). It did not occur in conformity with God and his anointing and hence, was ultimately judged. We read in scripture how the nation Israel often erred in this manner. They looked to the Egyptians and other nations about them for strength and help rather than looking to the Lord and his anointing.
The Jewish prophet Habakkuk speaks about a large religious in-gathering of souls (Habakkuk I: 14-17) in the end time (Habakkuk 2:3). It is outwardly highly successful, but men are seen selfishly utilizing tools and methods other than the ways of God’s anointed. Contrary to general opinion, large numbers and grandiose programs are not an absolute criteria of success in God’s eyes. Habakkuk chapter 2 deals with God’s coming judgment upon that which mirrors in spirit Nimrod and ancient Babel. In sovereign wisdom he will separate the false from the true and genuine. Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us his ways and his thoughts are higher than ours.
WHERE IS YOUR CONFIDENCE?
David’s life reveals that his ultimate confidence was in the anointing of God upon his life. Psalms 89:20 declares how God anointed David with his holy anointing oil. In this psalm we read how God laid help upon him, established him, strengthened him, protected him from his enemies, beat down his foes, and plagued them who hated him. David himself proclaimed in Psalms 20:6 that it was God’s anointing which ultimately protected and saved him. David wrote in verses 7 and 8, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.“
Where is your confidence today? Through true repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Lord, you can know the anointing of God upon your life. The great apostle Paul wrote in II Corinthians 1:21, “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God.”
Many people who have previously accepted the Lord desperately need a fresh anointing of God’s spirit upon their lives. May you be challenged today like the psalmist who cried out in Psalms 92: 10, “ . . . I shall be anointed with fresh oil.“
Published By
Bethel Biblical Foundation
P.O. 440684
Aurora, Colorado 80044
{Copies available on request)