Praise God

Praise God for His wonderful works toward men.  In Luke 4:18, Jesus quoted Isaiah’s prophecy concerning Himself as the Anointed One.  “‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.’  Jesus went on to say, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’”  Jesus was stating, “I am the Anointing.  I am here,” but as we continue to read, we see that they rejected Him.  In Luke 4:25, “many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.”  Even though there were many widows, there was only one that adhered to the Word.  She did not reject the prophet.  By her obedience, she attracted the blessings of God to her.  We see that obedience plays a crucial role in attracting the anointing.  Jesus continues by saying, “many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”  Jesus is saying that the anointing is sent to those who attract or draw upon it.  The widow was willing to give her last meal at the word of Elijah.  This act drew upon the anointing of God to sustain her.  Naaman the leper was willing to lay down his pride and obey the word of Elisha to wash in the Jordan River and be cleansed.  The more willing we are to obey God, the more anointing (the power of the Holy Spirit) we will attract.  Acts 5:32 states, “The Holy Spirit is given to those who obey Him.”  God is not moved by need.  He is moved by faith.  As we obey His Word and step out in faith, we attract His anointing to our lives.  Second Chronicles 16:9 declares, “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”  Take a step of faith in obedience to God and by faith, expect the power of God to be sent your way.