Psalm 23 ~ Part 2

DO YOU KNOW HIM?

A part of Psalm 23 talks about the Shepherd. While meditating on this Psalm, all I could imagine was the intimacy between David and God. He knew His Shepherd so well. No wonder he could so freely and without any shame worship the Lord. No wonder he was so crazily in love with the Lord. He talks about how the Shepherd loves, cares and corrects. Jesus has laid down the best example of a good shepherd. https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/www.biblegateway.com/passage/%3fsearch=Isaiah+40:11&version=NIV&interface=amp

A few qualities I could understand about what David saw in the Lord were :

1. He takes care of all our needs. There’s nothing we need to worry about when we know that our Shepherd is in control. https://www.biblestudytools.com/matthew/passage/?q=matthew+6:25-34
2. He ensures that we are satisfied and that we will lack nothing. He is sensitive to our needs and proves to be more than enough for us. He comforts His sheep with His presence. When the Shepherd is around, the sheep will be at peace and will have a sense of security. https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/www.biblegateway.com/passage/%3fsearch=Psalm+27:3&version=ESV&interface=amp
3. The sight of the Shepherd rejuvenates the sheep. They can trust their Shepherd to lead them in the paths that are right and involves no danger. The Shepherd is always around and never leaves His sheep. https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/www.biblegateway.com/passage/%3fsearch=Psalm+27:10&version=NIV&interface=amp
4. He disciplines and comforts because He loves His sheep. With a rod, a shepherd can gently nudge a stray sheep back into line or, using the hook, pull a sheep from a dangerous spot. The rod is also used as a weapon to defend the flock against wolves and other invaders. He makes provision for His sheep in advance. His anointing over His sheep is enough to get them abundant blessings. When the battle seems lost, the Shepherd completely turns the table in favour of His sheep. He ensures that His sheep is always on the winning side, even if it means laying down His own life. https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/www.biblegateway.com/passage/%3fsearch=John+10:11&version=NIV&interface=amp

Is Your Anointing Leaking Out?

Anointing leaking out! Sounds illogical?

It hit me hard as I heard the preacher give an example for it. It forced me to evaluate myself. Have I left any loopholes for my anointing to leak out? And can I lose my anointing?

The answer is, yes, we certainly can lose our anointing. King Saul was anointed by the Lord, but one act of disobedience cost him his anointing. David was anointed as king instead.

What could be the possible reasons for my anointing to leak out? It's really easy to play the blame game and say 'The Devil' is the only reason! How can the Devil enter without any open doors?  We let him have his way!

Compromising with the standards of God is the major reason we tend to lose our anointing. When I speak of compromising with God's standards, living upto the standards of this world will be your fist thought. But I've realised that it's much deeper. There are people who know and believe in God's word, claim to be walking in the light, yet live compromising lives by following incorrect doctrines. How can we find out if we are following something that's not right?

For example, God teaches us to honour our parents. If we are led by someone to leave them by themselves in their difficult times, you can very well understand that you are compromising with the word of God. You've allowed your anointing to leak.

It's a simple, yet a powerful statement. Something that should make you introspect. There are so many times we instruct the people weaker than us about the Do's and Don'ts. But what about people like us, people who are involved in the forefront of the ministry? Isn't it something we need to really think about?

The more we lean on the Holy Spirit for His guidance, the more wisdom will we receive to watch our steps. The more we empty ourselves before Him and let Him fill us, our cups will overflow. The anointing poured over you is precious, don't let go of it because of petty things - because of foolishness.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22Amplified Bible (AMP)

21 Now it is God who establishes and confirms us [in joint fellowship] with you in Christ, and who has anointed us [empowering us with the gifts of the Spirit]; 22 it is He who has also put His seal on us [that is, He has appropriated us and certified us as His] and has given us the [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as a pledge [like a security deposit to guarantee the fulfillment of His promise of eternal life].

Stand firm in the Lord and let Him guide your steps. Run to him first because He knows what's best for you. Listen to Him and do as He says, joyfully. When you understand the heart of the Father, following His will joyfully becomes easy. Walk in the anointing poured over you. You are His vessel. Don't give the Devil any chance to poke holes through your life and cause your anointing to leak.