Human Versus Holy Spirit Anointing

I. The “Anointing” Saul Gave Samuel

 

There once was an anointing which turned out disappointing,

For disappointment was the ointment poured out by the king.

The moment it hit Samuel’s head, he surely felt the dread.

I’m sure tears soaked his happily-ever-after bed.

 

Because Saul, bound by strict law –

“Must start on time, without a flaw” –

Failed to appreciate the grace

Of the Lamb who took his place

 

To cover sin within the  camp,

That God’s light might shine like a lamp

Onto his army to give them peace.

Sure victory God would release.

 

But Saul, who felt the time a-ticking,

Feared his men might take a licking

If he didn’t do the motions

Which accounted for devotions.

 

He did what he knew to be good

But didn’t trust God as he should,

And when God’s own prophet ran late

This king decided not to wait.

 

He did not do as planned

But took matters into his own hand

Because he didn’t understand.

His faith was built on sinking sand.

 

Up one moment, down the next.

This poor man found himself quite vexed

With fear and doubt and hesitation,

No assurance of salvation.

 

Though by the Spirit He did great works,

It seems this man enjoyed few perks.

For when God moved, he prophesied,

But in the truth did not abide.

 

II. The Ointment of Disappointment

 

Oh, can you feel the ointment

Of soul-wrenching disappointment

Poured out in such a shocking way

Upon  Samuel’s head that day?

 

The Holy Spirit couldn’t stay

Because King Saul did not obey

But served the Lord in His own might

(Oh, what a frightful sight!)

 

You see, when flesh does the anointing,

it’s always disappointing.

That’s because flesh and blood cannot  reveal Jesus to you,

And you can’t find Him sleeping in  a  pew.

 

 

All man-made anointing

Shows itself as disappointing,

Like every meaningless  tradition

Cloaked in  religious superstition.

 

Oh, how we wish  they would anoint

Our each and every joint

With love and peace and joy!

Instead, they choose to annoy

Like some bratty girl or boy.

 

Perhaps the answer is, don’t put God in  a box.

Appreciate His love for you, much  stronger than an ox.

It will not fail to heal your fear and dread,

If you’ll grasp the fact that Christ died in your stead.

 

Though people leave you when you need them most,

Trust in His power and of His mercy boast.

 

(Based on the story in I Samuel chapter 13)

 

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Sacred Cows and Where’s the Beef?

                        I. Sacred Cows Inedible

 

Sacred cows and where’s the beef?

Why can’t the prisoners get relief?

They come to church in search of hope

To free them from the scathing rope

 

Of demons, plagues and worldly cares,

But dare not place their derrieres

On worn clichés and rituals

Which fail to cure them of their ills.

 

The sacred cow of church tradition

Keeps them bound in superstition.

Therefore, they plead, “Where is the beef?”

For they can’t eat the unbelief

 

Exuding from the golden calf

That tells them when to cry or laugh.

“Stand up, sit down, say this, say that.”

How did that idol get so fat?

 

                              II. Aaron’s Calf Incredible

 

It didn’t used to be that way

When high priest Aaron did obey.

But, oh the backlash he endured

From those who claimed they’d not been cured

 

Of chronic tiredness. Such a wait!

Why was that Moses guy so late?

He climbed the mount but stayed up there,

Abandoning them to despair.

 

“God isn’t answering our prayer!”

They yelled. “We’re sure He does not care!”

“But if you blame our unbelief,

Then we’ll make sure you come to grief!”

 

So, he caved in to their demands,

And made an idol with his hands

From gold they paid him, melted down,

An emblem of man’s own renown.

 

That idol offers liberty

And promises security,

A world of glitter, fleshly fun:

“We’re seeker-friendly, everyone!”

 

“Accepting all, and never rude.

“If you loathe manna, we’ve got food.

Just do the motions and you’ll see

How tasty all those leaks can be.”

 

“I misspelled ‘leeks,’ because, you see,

Those sacred cows most certainly

See ‘leaking faith’ as no big deal

Because their goal is ‘curb appeal.’”

 

            III. Sacred Cows: Killing Sheep to Feed a Bull

 

“Besides, the time you sacrifice

To come there Sunday should suffice

For pleasing God. No need to walk

With Jesus here. Just talk the talk.”

 

“Who cares if you were not made whole?

It’s really not about your soul.

If sickness is God’s will for you,

Then jump for joy because you’re blue.”

 

Such nonsense is incredible.

The cows, they are inedible,

And in the end they’re still not full,

As sheep are killed to feed a bull.

 

But “Where’s the beef?” the people say.

“And why did Moses go away?

For, now we’ve lost the joy we’ve had,

The miracles that made us glad.”

 

And “Where’s the beef?” they ask today

In a world impatient with delay,

But if leaders would keep their godly vows

And slaughter all those sacred cows

 

Of doctrines and rules designed to appease

The wolves that gripe and the dogs that wheeze,

Then once again, I think we’d see

A revival of truth and of purity.