Corral or Crown?

You are the man. Anointed. Oil dripping. Crowd affirming. Hands applauding. Front and center. Called and crowned. Now what? Take the throne? Force your way to the top? Demand rights? Pull strings? Work the system?

David faced this situation. He was the man. His whole family stood and watched as he was anointed as the next king of Israel. Samuel’s anointing oil ran down his head and onto his clothes. There was no doubt, David’s place was on the throne. I know what we would have done. We would have run to the nearest Kinko’s and ordered “King of Israel” business cards. We would have put together a “Straight from the Throne” tape ministry. We would have asked Saul to step aside. We would have called for a vote. But we can learn a lot from David. What did David do he when was named the next king? We discover the answer in I Samuel 16:17-19.

Saul, being tormented by an evil spirit sent by God, looks for a man who can play and sing to provide relief. One of Saul’s assistants responds that he has heard a young man who fits that bill. Guess where David, the anointed one and oiled one, was located? In verse 19 Saul says to Jesse, “Send me your son David who is with the flock.” That’s right, God’s anointed man of faith and power left his debut and “promotion party” and went right back to tending sheep. Rather than running for the crown he ran for the corral.

Some of you have been called and crowned. You have received a word that promises you a great destiny. Others have heard it and agreed. They may even think the old king is out of his mind and needs to be replaced. They may try to get you to speed up the process and take your rightful place now. Run for the flock! Don’t try to take the throne. You have been anointed; now tend sheep. It will do us good to remember the promise that if we will remain faithful in the little things, then we will be made rulers over much. Galatians 6:9 assures us that if we don’t grow weary in well doing, in due season we will reap if we don’t faint. Take care of the sheep God has given you. Don’t push your way into the palace. Reflect on the story of Absalom and discover what happens when we try to take a position before it is time. We get hung out to dry.

Put away the new business cards and promotional pieces and allow God to promote and exalt you at the right time. Remember, sheep. . . then scepter.