The Detractors of Purpose

When God decided Saul’s reign as king of Israel was going to be coming to an end he found a young man to replace him. God found David, the youngest son of Jesse. The Lord sent Samuel the prophet to this family of Jesse to anoint the new king of Israel.

God had a purpose for David. David was going to be the greatest earthly king for Israel. Not only would David be a great king, he would be a mighty warrior, an anointed psalm and song writer and musician. David may not have known it, but God’s hand was going to be upon him. God’s purpose is greater than our minds can imagine. Think about it, one day David is tending to his father’s sheep in the field and the next he’s anointed to be a king. No lineage or rightful inheritance to the throne. The only thing that gave David his ticket to the throne of Israel was the purpose of God.

However, when God gives a man or a woman purpose and anointing there will in fact be detractors. Those who do not believe in you, who do not want to see you succeed, who always think you’ve found a short cut to the throne. But remember, God has a purpose for your life.

First of all when the prophet Samuel came to Jesse’s home the prophet looked for the tallest and strongest son of Jesse. But Eliab, Jesse’s son, who was tall and strong was not God’s chosen. Samuel already had it in his mind that the man to be successor of the throne of Israel would be a good looking, tall, strong man. But not God.

Jesse didn’t even invite David to the party hosting the great prophet. Why? Even Jesse didn’t think David could have purpose from heaven. “Surly there is someone more fitting.” But not according to God. God looks for those who are faithful over the small things so they can later be faithful over larger things.

The small, ruddy young man who smelled of sheep was the man with God’s purpose. The anointing from the horn of oil gave way to the Spirit of the Lord that came upon David in the midst of his brethren. God’s choosing of David came in the heart of God and in the privacy of David’s life. But, God’s anointing and Spirit came upon him in the midst of his brethren. Those who despised him could visibly see the anointing of God come over him.

What God does in our private devotional lives will in fact be rewarded publicly in front of our brethren, whether they agree with it or not. They may fight our purpose but they can not fight our anointing. The anointing breaks the yoke of critics and cynics.

David and The Giant Critics

As the armies of Israel and it’s king shook in their collective boots in the sight of the Philistines and it’s giant, there was a man with God given purpose coming. Jesse sent his youngest son to check upon his brethren who were in the battle with the Philistines. David came and seen Goliath and purpose came with him.

When God’s anointing and purpose shows up in your life beware that critical brethren, jealous kings and blood thirsty giants show up too. 

David didn’t just fight the giant Goliath that day, but he also fought the giants of criticism. David’s oldest brother Eliab rejected David’s zeal to fight the giant. Remember, this is the same Eliab whom God did not choose to be king, even though he looked like he could do the job according to Samuel. Eliab scolded David with a question “Why have you come here?” Sounds familiar. Why did David go there? Because the purpose of God ordained it. Critical brothers never understand why they weren’t chosen and can’t understand why you were. Notice this as well, that Eliab was not doing anything, he was standing around. Critics are usually the ones not accomplishing anything. They just stand around and criticize others who attempt to do something.

Next on the list of detractors was king Saul. Let us make something abundantly clear. David’s brothers and Israel’s king were in fact not accomplishing anything. When Goliath showed up they all hid like children at the sight of their own shadows in a dim room. God will have someone who is not afraid and willing to take on giants when other will not.

Purpose will lead you directly to giant situations. But God’s purpose is for you to overcome them. I don’t believe the biggest giant in 1 Samuel 17 was Goliath. I believe it was David’s brothers and king Saul. If you can overcome the criticism and sarcasm of your detractors you can defeat any giant. If you can tune out the cries of jealousy and envy and tune in to the Spirit of God, victory is going to come your way.

Saul tried to dress David in his own kingly armor. But Saul did not understand that David was already dressed with purpose and the anointing from the Lord. When others try to dress you with their failed armor, strip it off and follow God’s purpose.

Goliath

How could we forget Goliath? Goliath was drunk on hater-ade. David made it through critical brothers and a jealous king and now it’s time for the physical giant. Goliath’s presence could strike fear in his adversaries. Yet, when David came to battle Goliah had to make sure his opinion of David was heard as well. The Bible said that Goliath disdained him, for he was but a youth. David’s countenance may have looked young but his anointing came from the Eternal. Goliath couldn’t stop God’s purpose for David. David didn’t go for the heart, he went for the head. The stone struck that giant in the forehead shut the mouth of  yet another detractor.

Once David made it through Samuel’s disbelief, his father’s rejection, his brother’s criticism, a king’s jealousy and a giant’s insults he pursued God’s purpose for his life.

Was this the end of the detractors? Certainly not. But David overcame them as well.

If you are to sit on the throne of God’s purpose for your life you will have to overcome the detractors and critics. They come with the territory of purpose. You will never rid yourself of these enemies whose swords are in their mouths but are handled by their hearts. But you ignore them as David did. You allow the anointing of the Holy Ghost to lead and guide you to your destined position. Let the Lord fight for your battles.

Your purpose is greater than the critics and criticism. Your purpose is heavenly please do not defile it with earthly dirt slinging. Keep your spirit right, keep your heart right, keep your attitude right and God will perform what he promised.