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The Annointing For Your Life
Contributed by Howard Strickland on Nov 4, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: God knows exactly what you need, and He will come through for His saints.
The anointing for your Life Text: II Kings 13:20-21
20 Then Elisha died, and they buried him. And the raiding bands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year. 21 So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.
Spring, the usual season of beginning campaigns in ancient times. Predatory bands from Moab generally made attacks at that time on the lands of Israel. The bearers of a corpse, alarmed by the appearance of one of these bands, hastily deposited, this dead man into Elisha’s sepulcher, which might be easily done by removing the stone at the mouth of the cave. According to the Jewish and Eastern custom, his body, as well as that of the man who was miraculously restored, was not laid in a coffin, but only in cloth; so that the bodies could be brought into contact. The object of the miracle made by God was to stimulate the king’s and people of Israel’s faith in the still unaccomplished predictions of Elisha respecting the war with the Syrians. History records show the defeat of the enemy, in the recovery of the cities that had been taken, and their restoration to the kingdom of Israel.
Just as God still had a purpose for Elisha’s vessel; He has a purpose and plan for your vessel! (You carry within you the very presence of God!)
We understand that God allowed this to occur, but what made this miracle happen? What made God choose Elisha?
I believe there are at least 4 things of significances!
#1. Elisha had a double anointing placed on him before Elijah was carried away!
That anointing came because Elisha wouldn’t be denied! (Elijah said, “If you see me being carried away, you shall have a double anointing!)
When others would have turned away Elisha stayed right beside Elijah! (Your acquaintances are important!)
This remains me of what king David said in Psalm 51:10-13 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.
#2. The words of authority Elisha confessed while ministering unto the Lord!
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
#3. The vision and future that he left behind! (A prophet of God without vision? Never!)
Habakkuk 2: 2-3 Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law.
God is telling me to tell someone, “Your vision can live way past your years!”
#4. The miracles and healings Elisha had done quickened this corpse and made him live again!
If you will give God praise and glory for everything; He will do things like this through you!
Mark 16:17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
What kind of miracle do you need from God today? I believe as you’re faithful on your part He will be faithful on His!