Are you ready?
Readiness requires preparation even though you may have received an anointing.
It is recorded by The Holy Spirit in 1st Samuel chapter 16:
1 Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.“
3 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you.”
4 So Samuel did what the LORD said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, “Do you come peaceably?”
Samuel discerned that the one to anoint was not among the sons who were standing before him.
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
After Jesse sent for David who was keeping the sheep:
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him (David) in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward (in power). So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.
David was THE LORD’S choice, not that of man. You and I don’t need to worry about impressing those around us, we simply need to focus on walking in Holiness and righteousness for that is what THE LORD is looking for to carry out HIS plan. However, was David ready to be king? No, it would be another 20 years before David would be king.
Saul still wore the crown during that time but had forfeited the anointing. Which would you rather have, the crown without the anointing or the anointing without the crown? The Truth is, David wasn’t ready to be king.
The worst thing that can happen to a man is to succeed before he is ready!
Have you been waiting for GOD to use you in a particular area? I know I have. HE is still preparing us so let us be patient and longsuffering. After killing Goliath, David spent the next 20 years running from the jealous King Saul to stay alive.
What did David need before he was ready to be king?
Gratitude: it is important to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving, noting that God Loves gratitude and it is essential for a mature believer.
Mercy: David had to learn the depth of God’s mercy, especially after his own moral failures. We never outgrow our need for God’s mercy.
Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit: David developed a tender conscience and a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, illustrated by his restraint in not harming King Saul.
Refraining from Self-Promotion: David learned to trust God’s timing, refusing to force his way to the throne or take matters into his own hands.
Putting God First: The story of David pouring out the water brought by his loyal men illustrated the hardest lesson: prioritizing the honor of God over pleasing people, even those closest to us.
Referencing 2nd Samuel chapter 23:
13 Then three of the thirty chief men went down at harvest time and came to David at the cave of Adullam. And the troop of Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim.
14 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
15 And David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!”
16 So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the LORD.
17 And he said, “Far be it from me, O LORD, that I should do this! Is this not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.
David learned restraint!