E-pistle for February 15, 2008
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E-pistle
Dr. Dan Hite, President FreeWay Foundation February 15, 2008
"The Lord Gives And The Lord Takes Away"
Job 1:21
Dr. Curt Scarborough
This paraphrased text from Job 1:21 may well be applied to the anointing of
God upon His servants. Saul is a prime example of this truth.
He was tall, dark, and handsome, this Saul of the tribe of Benjamin. First
Samuel, chapter 9 speaks of the circumstances of his anointing. The donkeys of his
father, Kish, were lost, and Saul was sent to find them. He and his servant searched
everywhere . . . Ephraim, Shalisha, Shaalim, Benjamin, and Zuph.
After several days, he wanted to turn home, for by now his father would be
worried about the son, rather than about the donkeys. The servant suggested they
ask advice from the prophet, Samuel. He even paid for the visit, and some young
women pointed the way to where Samuel was.
Meanwhile, Samuel had heard from the Lord that a divine appointment
had been arranged with Saul, whom he was to anoint. So it was that Saul met
Samuel without knowing him, and received the answer that the donkeys had been
found without asking him. Saul and Samuel ate a meal together, with Samuel
honoring Saul, who responded with humility. Chapter 10 then tells of Saul's
anointing, empowering by the Spirit, and coronation as King of Israel.
Lessons About Receiving The Anointing
1. If we have discerning eyes of faith, we may be able to see and recognize
God's hand at work in ordinary happenings. (Did God cause the donkeys
to stray? I don't know, but it wouldn't be the only time He used donkeys
to accomplish His purpose.)
2. God chooses people who are faithfully working at their smaller responsibilities
to accomplish His greater purpose.
3. A simple suggestion and/or an insignificant gift to God's service may be used
to alter the entire course of history of a nation. (Credit Saul's servant here!)
4. God places persons across our paths to point the way if and when we need
directions (servant and girls drawing water.)
5. Sometimes God reveals our destiny to another godly person who gives us
that call "out of the blue!"
6. God takes care of the low priority things that concern us, while He is dealing
with us on a higher level, (The donkeys are found.)
7. Humility is the only proper response to make when someone gives us praise
and honor. The "anointing" is a gift, not something worked for or earned.
Lessons About Losing The Anointing
Samuel was commanded by God to "anoint him commander over My people,"
I Samuel 9:16. In the first verse of the next chapter, Samuel said, "The Lord has anointed
you commander." But after Saul's death, David wrote a funeral song referring to "the
shield of Saul, NOT ANOINTED . . . " (II Samuel 1:21)
The history of Saul's life between receiving the anointing and losing it is a
tragic one. At 6 feet, 8 inches tall, Saul was an insecure little man. His life is a downhill
slide into oblivion. His blunders and shortcomings, his rebellion and stubbornness, his
sin and iniquity stand as clear warnings to us who are God's present-day anointed leaders.
Notice his downward progression:
1. He took credit for another person's accomplishment, I Samuel 13:1-4.
Jonathan won the victory, but Israel heard that Saul had attacked the
Philistines.
2. He "took matters into his own hands to make it happen." Saul had
announced a sacrifice and everyone except Samuel came. To save face,
Saul sacrificed . . . assuming the position and authority of another person,
I Samuel 13:8-12. Much of Saul's sin was connected with his self-image
problem . . . and his trying to make himself look better. Here he lost the
possibility of permanent influence, v. 14.
3. He made decisions based on human wisdom, not taking time to hear first
from God, I Samuel 14:19, 36-37. Saul felt compelled to do something,
even it if was the wrong thing!
4. He made pious sounding statements, not based on God's word, but to
make himself look good, I Samuel 14:24. "Cursed is the man who eats
until I take vengeance on my enemies." This foolish pronouncement
caused the people to sin by hungrily eating meat without draining the
blood, I Samuel 14:32. It also prevented them from wining a complete
victory, vv. 28-30.
5. He blamed others for problems caused by his personal failure,
I Samuel 14:33; 15:20-21, 24.
6. He only partially obeyed God's commands, assuming a privileged
exemption from complete obedience, thus enhancing his personal
honor and glory I Samuel 15:1-9. He spared Agag to march him through
the land in a victory parade.
7. He erected a monument to bring glory and honor to himself, I Samuel 15:12
. . . motivated by his desire to be remembered.
8. He made his own rules for worshipping God and giving to Him, I Samuel
15:14, 15. Lying to God about worship and giving is an act of a fool.
Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 did the same thing, with similar consequences.
9. He denied that anything wrong had been done, I Samuel 15:20-21, 24. "I have
obeyed (except for one little thing), and the other sin wasn't my fault (I had
no choice)." Here he lost his present position, v. 26.
10. Saul's path of rebellion and stubbornness opened his heart to demonic
influences . . . witchcraft, I Samuel 15:23. The night before his death, he
involved himself in a séance, I Samuel 28. Finally here he lost his life
(25: 19; 31:4).
Saul lost his anointing little by little. Samuel's warning to him is a vital word
to us today: "To obey is better than sacrifice," I Samuel 15:22. Why is it better?
Because, if man had obeyed in the Garden of Eden, no sacrifice would have been
needed on Calvary.
"The Hand of God"
Ezra 7-8
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. What Kind of Person is God's Hand On?
1. Prepared Mind – "skilled scribe", 7:6
to be educated, equipped, experienced
2. Prepared Heart – 7:10
to seek God's law (read, study, meditate, listen)
3. Prepared Will – 7:10
to obey (practice what you preach)
4. Prepared Spirit – 7:27, 28
to worship (praise and thanksgiving bring encouragement)
II. What Does a Person, Touched by the Hand of God, Do?
1. Fast, 8:21, 23
2. Humble self and seek God's will, 8:21
3. Pray, 8:23
4. Receive "word" from God; follow it, 8:22
IIIl. What Does God's Hand on a Person Produce?
1. Opened door of opportunity (answered prayer), 7:6
2. Sense of purpose and destiny (began; arrived), 7:9
3. Committed followers (dedicated associates with godly wisdom and
touched hearts who encourage the leader)
4. Providential protection (deliverance from enemies until God's purpose
is accomplished), 8:31.
This is a Sermon Idea from Dr. Scarborough. Just some thoughts for you to develop further.
There is a song by Matt Redman entitled "Blessed Be Your Name" that tells us to praise
Him no matter what happens.
Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name
Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name
Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say . . .
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name
Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name
Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name
Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say . . .
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name
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