Lord, I must be careful about my relationship to Your anointed ones. The anointed ones are those set above me in authority, to whom I am most directly responsible, and who therefore interpret Your will for me in given circumstances (Hebrews 13:17). You are particular about the lines of authority—husbands-fathers in the home; pastors and elders in the church; kings, prophets, and others; as well as the ranks of heavenly orders. Even Satan, though fallen, still has the “respect” of the lower angels (Jude 9).
David had several chances to kill Saul, his rival; yet he refused to do so because Saul was “the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 24:1–7). Instead, David consigned Saul into the Lord’s hand for judgment (1 Samuel 26:10–11). That showed David’s sensitivity to the line of authority for the nation of Israel. Out of his love for God and his respect for God’s will, David would not act on his own and seize power in the land.
To respect the anointed ones is not only an efficient way for God’s Kingdom to operate, but also a sign of trust and dependency upon God. Just because God has put someone immediately over me does not mean that I am relieved from the responsibility of trusting Him. In fact, it is the very opposite. I must trust Him more, because now His will for me must be strained through an extra individual; therefore, the possibilities of error are greater.
Just as David had to trust in God to work through Saul, not without him, so I must trust God to work through my superior, whether he is sensitive or insensitive to God’s will. He is in God’s hands, and I must learn to trust and praise because of that. I say with David, “In God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me” (Psalm 56:4, KJV).
“He permitted no man to oppress them, and He reproved kings for their sakes: ‘Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm’” (Psalm 105:14–15).
Daily with the King 