Epistle for March 10, 2007
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E-pistle
Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation March 10, 2007
"The Lord Gives And The Lord Takes Away"
(Job 1:21)
Dr. Curt Scarborough-February, 2002
This paraphrased text from Job 1:21 may well be applied to the anointing of God
upon His servants. Saul is a prim 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 servants searched everywhere . . .
Ephraim, Shalisha, Shaalim, Benhamin, and Zuph.
After several days, he wanted to return 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 then answer that the donkeys had been found without asking
him. Saul and Samuel ate a meal together, with humility. Chapter 10 then tells us of
Saul's anointing, empowering by the Spirit, and coronation as King of Israel.
LESSONS ABOUT RECEIVING THE ANOINTING
- If we have discerning eyes of faith, we may be able to see and
receive 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 (servants 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:
- He took credit for another person's accomplishments,
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 made 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 if it 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 winning 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 form compete 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.
- "I have obeyed (except for one little thing), and the other
- Saul's path of rebellion and stubbornness opened his life to
9. He denied that anything wrong had been done, I Samuel 15:20-21,
sin wasn't my fault ( I had no choice)." Here he lost his present
position, v. 26.
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 writing to him is a vital word to us
today: "To obey is better than sacrifice," I Samuel 15L22. Why is it better? Because, if
man had obeyed in the Garden of Eden, no sacrifice would have been needed on Calvary.
This One Thing I Do
(Philippians 3:3-14, 17)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on who are the true Jews (spiritual Israel)
1. Persons who worship God in the Spirit, v. 3
2. Persons who rejoice in Christ Jesus, v. 3
3. Persons who have no confidence in the saving power
of their human good works ("in the flesh"), vv. 3-8
- Persons who have received Christ's righteousness by
Faith in God, v. 9
II. Meditation: on a growing Christian's heart-felt desires (v. 10)
- To know Christ intimately . . . "abiding" in Him, John 15.
- To experience the power of His resurrection (through the
Holy Spirit)
3. To share in the fellowship of His sufferings, including
being persecuted.
4. To be completely dedicated to Him . . . even unto death.
III. Revelation: on how to accomplish these spiritual goals (vv. 13-14)
- Face life with humility
"I do not count myself to have apprehended."
2. Forget past failures and successes
"Forgetting those things that are behind me."
3. Finish the race with perseverance and endurance.
"Reaching forward to those things which are ahead."
4. Focus on Jesus (His will and purpose for me)
"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward
call of God in Jesus Christ."
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
- Recognize my position as a member of "spiritual Israel," and
Claim the promises God made to His people in the Old Testament.
2. Identify completely with (and participate in) Christ's life, suffering,
death, and resurrection.
3. "Run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." Hebrews 12:1-2.
4. Live a Spirit-filled life so I will be able truly to say with Paul:
"Brethern, join in following my example," Philippians 3:17.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want
to test a man's character, give him power!"
-Abraham Lincoln
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