"For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." Rom. 15:4
Background:
The book of 1 Samuel marks the end of the rule of judges (Samuel being the last judge) and the beginning of the 500 year reign of kings. This Old Testament book includes three main characters (Samuel, Saul and David) and covers a span of about 115 years from Samuel's childhood, through the turbulent times of King Saul to the beginning reign of God's chosen king…David, son of Jesse.
Instruction:
"Now the Lord said to Samuel…'Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have chosen a king for Myself among his sons'…Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward." (1 Sam. 16:1,13)
I dare say that the majority of us Mainstream bloggers as children were told the exciting, true Bible story of young David slaying the giant Philistine champion, Goliath. Hopefully, as adults we now understand there was much more behind David's awe-inspiring victory than his being a crack shot shepherd boy with a stone loaded sling. Samuel records that by the omnipotence of Holy God, before David ever came face to face with his fearsome opponent, he was chosen by God, anointed by God then mightily filled by God with the powerful Spirit of the Lord. Acts 13:36 tells us that David served the purposes of God in his own generation!
It may astonish us to realize, that as children of God, (i.e.- anyone who has received the free grace gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ Son of God, His shed blood, death and resurrection) we are chosen women!
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as (daughters) through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us!" (Eph. 1:3-8)
We are anointed women! "This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life!...As for you, the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you…" (1 John 2:25,27)
O women of God, let us be filled mightily with the Spirit of the Lord! "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe…Therefore, be careful how you walk not as unwise (women) but as wise making the most of your time…understand what the will of the Lord is…be filled with the Spirit!" (Eph. 1:18-19;5:15-18)
Scriptures throughout the Old and New Testaments reveal that Almighty God fills ordinary people who are doing His work and serving His purposes with the power of the Holy Spirit. (Check out Micah 3:8,
Luke 1:41-42 and Acts 4:27-31 for examples) God's purposes and will are not hard to find. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:16-18) "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I command you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matt. 28:19-20)
We must understand what the will of the Lord is, daily be filled with the Holy Spirit and fulfill God's purposes for us in our own generations by His mighty power! May each one of us as chosen, anointed women, serve God's purposes in the families, neighborhoods, and communities where He has placed us!
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