An Opportunity For Anointing
CONSECRATED No. 78 - 1 Thought. 2 Quotes. 3 Verses.
1 THOUGHT
“It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply. God actually rises up storms of conflict in relationships at times in order to accomplish that deeper work in our character. We cannot love our enemies in our own strength. This is graduate-level grace. Are you willing to enter this school? Are you willing to take the test? If you pass, you can expect to be elevated to a new level in the Kingdom. For He brings us through these tests as preparation for greater use in the Kingdom. You must pass the test first.”
A.W. Tozer
There’s something that the Holy Spirit produces in and through us that can only come through pain and trial. Through what the the Apostle Peter calls, “Unjust suffering.” It’s Joseph in the prison. Paul in a prison of his own. Abraham in the waiting and the sacrifice. Jesus in Gethsemane.
It’s the olive press—the place of crushing that yields anointing. All of it God is using to do something deeper than mere painless ease could ever accomplish.
In moments of relational wounding you have an opportunity. In such moments, the fruit of two different trees are offered to you. The crushing will produce one of two fruits—offense or anointing. It all comes down to how you respond to the crushing. And while the tree of anointing is full of glory, the tree of offense is often the more pleasing to the eye.
I think of the words of Peter in reference to unjust suffering,
It is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God… If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
“He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:18-23).
How many times in our lives have we—rather than entrusting ourselves to Him who judges justly—tried to defend ourselves. Tried to build a coalition of support among mutual friends, family members, or coworkers to get them to see things from our side. All the while, spreading our grumbling, drama, and discontent like a virus to a whole workplace or community.
What does Jesus model? He didn’t open up his mouth. He trusted that the Father, who reigns in complete sovereignty, would execute the circumstances of His life in such a way that he’d experience justice—even if that meant crucifixion.
But on the other side of His crucifixion was resurrection. And not just resurrection, but exaltation.
This is not saying to be a pushover who never stands up for themselves. But standing up for yourself directly against the person who wounded you is not the same as spreading your pain and offense to others in order to try to protect yourself or uncover the other person.
Trust God to protect you and exalt you in due time (1 Peter 5:6).
In his classic book A Tale of Three Kings, Gene Edwards contrasts the lives and hearts of Saul, David, and Absalom. Of David and his heart posture he writes,
“David was caught in a very uncomfortable position; however, he seemed to grasp a deep understanding of the unfolding drama in which he had been caught. He seemed to understand something that few of even the wisest men of his day understood. Something that in our day, when men are wiser still, even fewer understand.
And what was that?
God did not have—but wanted very much to have—men and women who would live in pain… God wanted a broken vessel.”
Unjust suffering is an opportunity for anointing—if we will choose it’s fruit.
2 QUOTES
“Never forget: it is not just outward obedience that God desires, but a broken and contrite heart, one that thirsts and hungers for the will of God.”
- John Bevere
“It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply.”
- A.W. Tozer
3 VERSES
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”
1 Peter 4:12-14
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Romans 12:12
A RESOURCE
Under Cover by John Bevere is one of the best books I’ve ever read on submission to authority. I read it early in my walk with Christ and it’s been a guide to me for many years. I hope you read it.
