5 Smooth Stones

stages of commissioning and release into ministry, and David went through three di ff erent anointings to step into his calling as King. First, he was called out and anointed to be future king by Samuel in front of his family (1 Samuel 16:13). Second, he was commissioned as the king over Judah (2 Samuel 2:4), and then fi nally as King over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:3). The sons of Issachar were credited with understanding the times, including where it was the proper time for David’s commissioning as king over Israel (1 Chronicles 12:32). May we also have the same understanding that they had concerning not allowing ministry to be fully released before it can be proven, so that it may bring all that the Lord intends through the calling. Paul also spoke to this idea when he advised Timothy in the context of recognizing eldership, 1 Timothy 5:22 “ Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure. ” He was saying that by laying hands upon someone for ordination or commissioning (1 Timothy 3) and releasing someone prematurely, there can be a shared judgment for the one who was released and the one who did the releasing. Be tt er to understand the timing and the testing of the Lord. No man must be perfect before he is commissioned, but he should be puri fi ed. There are other types of testing which must be considered and understood so they may not serve as pitfalls. The testing of Balaam, the prophet and false teacher who chose earthly entitlements over heavenly riches, provides such a lesson. Jezebel, who entices the bond-servants of God way from their true calling to subvert the anointing for sel fi sh advancements, provides another insight to walking around pitfalls. And Absalom, who betrayed the leader by using the authority which was delegated to him, only to win people’s hearts over to himself to a tt empt a hostile takeover, teaches a valuable lesson in walking with the Lord. ENDNOTES: 45 Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved 46 Judges 16:18 “When Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, "Come up once more, for he has told me all his heart." So the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought the money in their hand.”

134