God’s Protection Over His Anointed
God’s Word is clear and powerful: “Don’t you dare lay a hand on my anointed ones, and don’t do a thing to hurt my prophets!” (Psalm 105:15, 1 Chronicles 16:22, TPT). These verses emphasize how seriously God values and protects His anointed ones and prophets. He uses strong language to warn others: “Don’t you dare.” This declaration reminds us of the reverence and caution we must have when dealing with others, especially those called and chosen by God. God’s anointed are not to be mistreated or taken lightly, as they are under His divine protection and care.
Throughout the Bible, we see that God defends His chosen leaders. In the case of King David, though Saul sought his life out of jealousy, God repeatedly protected him and eventually made him king (1 Samuel 24). God’s anointing is not just for leaders but for all those He has set apart for His purposes. When we honor those whom God has chosen, we honor God Himself.
Treating Others with Wisdom
Sometimes, people fail to understand the spiritual implications of mistreating others. God’s instruction calls us to walk in wisdom and love. Mistreating anyone is wrong, but to harm or speak against someone who carries God’s anointing invites significant consequences. The Bible says, “Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm” (1 Chronicles 16:22), and this command is not just for physical harm but also for verbal or emotional attacks.
Jesus Himself teaches us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). He reminds us that every individual is made in the image of God, and we are to reflect His character in our interactions with others. This calls for wisdom and discernment, ensuring we never speak ill of or act against those who serve God, whether in leadership or in everyday life.
Trusting God to Fight for You
For those who know they are called by God, there is no need for fear or retaliation. The Lord Himself will dismantle the plans of the enemy. As believers, we can rest in the assurance that any evil plot against us will not prosper. In fact, those plans often boomerang back onto those who devised them. As it says in Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” The protection of God is unwavering, and He will never allow the schemes of the enemy to prevail against His people.
In times of hardship or opposition, we can rely on God to fight on our behalf. As Moses declared to the Israelites when they faced the Red Sea, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14). This reminder reassures us that we are not alone in our battles, and God is actively working on our behalf.
A Call to Faith and Integrity
These promises remind us to trust God fully. He is faithful to defend and uphold His anointed. At the same time, they challenge us to walk in integrity, treating others with the love and respect that align with His heart. It’s not just about God’s protection but also about living out His truth with wisdom and integrity.
Let us always remember the weight of God’s words: “Don’t you dare lay a hand on my anointed ones.” Let’s strive to live wisely, honor others, and trust in the Lord’s unfailing protection and justice. As we follow His guidance, we will reflect His love, and His protection will continue to surround us, ensuring His purposes for our lives are fulfilled.
Remember that God’s Word promises, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth (without guile) (Psalm 145:18 AMP). With that confidence, we can walk boldly, knowing He is our protector and defender.
David’s Respect for God’s Anointed
Even though Saul had spent years relentlessly pursuing David and trying to kill him out of jealousy and fear, David understood something profound. David understood that despite Saul's actions, Saul was still God’s anointed king. The respect David showed toward Saul, even in the midst of Saul’s relentless pursuit of his life, demonstrated David’s deep understanding of God’s sovereignty.
David could have taken matters into his own hands when Saul entered the cave, but instead, he chose to honor Saul as the Lord’s anointed. In 1 Samuel 24:6, David clearly states, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” David refused to harm Saul because he recognized that Saul’s position was not just given by man, but by God Himself.
David’s actions reflect the principle that even when someone wrongs us, if they are God’s anointed, we must approach the situation with reverence and trust in God’s justice. This humility and trust in God’s timing and judgment are what set David apart and made him a man after God’s own heart.
1 Samuel 24:1-22 (Amplified Bible - AMP)
1 When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.”
2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.
3 He came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost part of the cave.
4 The men of David said to him, “Behold, this is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it seems good to you.’” Then David arose and secretly cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.
5 And it came about afterward that David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe.
6 So he said to his men, “Far be it from me because of the Lord that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the Lord’s anointed.”
7 David persuaded his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul. And Saul arose, left the cave, and went on his way.
8 Now David arose, and went out of the cave and called after Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself.
9 David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men, saying, ‘Behold, David seeks to harm you’?
10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord had given you into my hand in the cave, and some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’
11 Now, my father, see! Indeed, see the corner of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, know and perceive that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands, and I have not sinned against you, though you are lying in wait for my life to take it.
12 May the Lord judge between you and me, and may the Lord avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be against you.
13 As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness,’ but my hand shall not be against you.
14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, a single flea?
15 The Lord therefore be judge and decide between you and me; and may He see and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand.”
16 When David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” Then Saul lifted up his voice and wept.
17 He said to David, “You are more righteous than I; for you have dealt with me good, but I have dealt with you evil.
18 You have declared today that you have done good to me, that the Lord delivered me into your hand, and yet you did not kill me.
19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safely? May the Lord therefore reward you with good in return for what you have done to me this day.
20 Now behold, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.
21 So now swear to me by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not destroy my name from my father’s household.”
22 David swore to Saul. And Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
Let us continue to remember that even in times of opposition, like David, we are called to honor God’s anointed and trust in His protection and justice. Let us choose to walk in wisdom, treating others with love and respect, knowing that the Lord fights our battles.