27/07/2017
JULY 26
NUMBERS 3: 1-6
MEMORY VERSE: Num 3:3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office.
ANOINTED AND CONSECRATED
According to our text above; to anoint is to rub with oil and by implication, to be chosen or appointed by God. Every child of God has a measure of the anointing of the Holy Spirit on or in him. He has been chosen by God to fill a specific role within the body of Christ; but he must go a step further to be consecrated in order to effectively fill that role.
The word consecrate in the above reference is the Hebrew word ‘MALE’; it means to fill or be made full, furnish, give in fully or satisfy. It is the work or duty of the Lord to anoint us and fill us with His Holy Spirit; but we must furnish ourselves with every other necessary ingredient to succeed. No, matter how much anointing a man carries, if he does not pray or spend time in the study of the word, the anointing may not take him very far. The beautiful forces of piety and power for holy living are strengthened in the place of fellowship with prayer and the word of God.
To consecrate is to take steps in the direction of the anointing or the call. There is much difference between a called or anointed man from someone who is not anointed. However, he is as infective as someone who is not called unless he consecrates himself by being furnished with the right training for service and the right attitude to his master. A student blessed with good memory who does not study his books will definitely fail irrespective of his endowment. Likewise, an anointed man who will not strive towards excellence or get filled with the needed knowledge and skill to fulfill his mission will not get very far.
There must therefore be the desire to give in fully to every instruction of God if an anointed man is to succeed in his call. Obedience to divine instructions propels the anointing of the anointed to the place of excellence and prominence.
Jesus is our perfect example of the anointed, yet these are what the word says about Him; ‘and He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them. Luke 2:51. Though He was God, yet He humbled Himself before His earthy parents. Though highly anointed, He had to learn the ways of humans. ‘But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.’ John 5:17. A lazy anointed man cannot lead a consecrated life and therefore will not go far. Jesus fasted for forty days to consecrate Himself to the divine service. What are you doing with your anointing?
Prayer: I consecrate myself to the service of God and I give all diligence to fulfill the purpose for which I am anointed. So help me God. In Jesus name. Amen.