ICS Daily Devotions
Respect God’s Anointed
Numbers 12: 8-9 I speak with him face to face, Even plainly, and not in dark sayings; And he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?” So the anger of the Lord was aroused against them, and He departed.
Moses was leading a million people towards the Promised Land but nobody was able to empathize with him. Even Miriam and Aaron as his family did not help much when they were speaking against Moses. Sometimes, we are not aware of the work load of the leaders until we step into their shoes. In fact, we might not even have the capacity, gifting and calling to step into their shoes. Many are called but few are chosen.
This is one of the rare occasion when God called for a meeting to rebuke a person openly. It was a confrontation. God stood in the door of the tabernacle and asked to speak to Aaron and Miriam. We do not want to offend God when He has chosen to do something through His servant. The Lord clearly does not condone or appreciate when anyone speaks evil of those He has placed in positions of authority —in particular, spiritual authority. God listens to every conversation,
comment, remark, sarcasm and attack against those whom He has called and set apart to serve
Him full time. It is noticeable that God backed up Moses fully.
1 Sam 24:10 (NKJV) Look, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’
2 Sam 1:14-15 (NKJV) So David said to him, “How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” Then David called one of the young men and said, “Go near, and execute him!” And he struck him so that he died.
David was a man after God’s heart. He knew God and His ways. He was knowledgeable not just of the covenant but also of the importance of respecting who God has chosen to serve Him. He knows that he should not touch or speak against God’s anointed. David was still respectful of God’s anointed even though King Saul wasn’t walking in the ways of the Lord.
There is a consistency in the Scripture where God was marveled that Miriam and Aaron weren’t afraid to speak against His servant Moses. It is clear that God does not permit it. David who is a man after God’s heart understood that nobody should touch God’s anointed. He understood that guilt and consequences would follow. In fact, King David executed the messenger who claimed that he killed Saul. He asked a similar question that God asked Miriam and Aaron.
“How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?”
How is it that we are not afraid to speak against those whom God has called and anointed to preach, teach, and serve full time? Just like Moses was carrying out the mandate in leading the people of Israel towards the Promised Land, every church Pastor is also carrying out the mandate of the church vision given by God because every church has a special calling.
1 Tim 5: 17 (NKJV) Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
The teaching from the Word suggests to give double honor to those who labor among us and teaches us the Word. You are to honor the person in action and speech. Everyone has a special calling and gift to fulfill a work for the Lord. God has called us personally and it is not easy to lead a church or organization.
When someone comes against God’s anointed, he or she is stepping into the devil’s playground and opens door for the demons to enter into their lives because he/she walks out of God’s protection. This person will not enjoy good days according to His Word!
There will be a trail of damage if the person were to keep striving in action and speech. The church will be divided and nobody will gain anything except the devil. Therefore, it is very important that we guard the words we use in the church to ensure that it will not lead to division.
This is one of the devil’s ways to sow discord and bring confusion in the church. Let us learn from David to stay respectful of God’s anointed because in doing so, we give God due honor and respect for His sovereignty.
Sermon Series: Get a Grip on Your Lip
