You Are God’s Anointed

Church, today I want to examine the sovereignty and power of God in Isaiah 45:1-2. These two verses reveal the remarkable ways in which God orchestrates events, working through human history to accomplish His divine purposes.

This is what the LORD says to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut: 2 I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.

What it means to be anointed?

It means being chosen by God; being set apart for a special purpose, empowered with spiritual authority and power to accomplish God’s mission.

1. Recognize God’s Sovereignty: God can use anyone (even the unlikely ones) to accomplish His plan and purpose on earth. Abnormal selection by God.
2. Recognize God’s hand upon His anointed: He holds up (strengthens) the right hand of His anointed to conquer and to rule over their enemies. He empowers and guides.

• He opens door for His anointed, and no enemy can stop or shut the gates to prevent them from advancing the purpose of God (c.f. Jos. 1:5-9; Isa. 54:17)
• He goes before them and level the mountains that obstructs them; He prepares the way for them. Mountains may symbolize the insurmountable challenges, and the formidable barriers that stand in their way.
• He breaks down gates of bronze; Gates of bronze may symbolize personal struggles, relational conflicts, financial crises, or spiritual battles that hinder their progress; setting the captives free. The anointing breaks every yoke, thus, producing breakthroughs for their mission.
• Bars of iron may symbolize the unyielding forces that seek to imprison us in despair, fear, and hopelessness. It could be the chains of addiction, the shackles of past traumas, or the fetters of doubt and insecurity.
  God promised to intervene and help them accomplish their mission. He is able to shatter the gates of oppression, injustice, and bondage, liberating them to walk in freedom and fulfillment. His power is greater than any barrier. He is the one who flattens obstacles, making a way where there seems to be no way.

Just as God anointed a pagan King called Cyrus, He has also anointed believers in Christ to accomplish His divine plan on earth.

2 Cor. 1:21-22 – ²¹ Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, ²² set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

The devil will do his best to weaken the believers’ anointing and to render it ineffective. How?

1. Deception: tricking them to believe his lies; that they are weak Christian, and there are failures.
2. Temptation: luring them into sinful behavior and distracting them with worldly desires and pleasures. He’s looking for a foothold to build a stronghold to keep them imprisoned.
3. Spiritual attacks and oppression: sending obstacles and troubles (physical sicknesses and diseases, job problem) to weaken them.
4. Sowing seed of disharmony and division: causing them to war against flesh and blood, instead of warring against principalities and powers of darkness.
5. Fear and doubt: instilling fear, insecurity, and doubt in their hearts, causing them to question God’s promises and lose confidence in their anointing and calling. Causing them to magnify them problems, as though the problems are great mountains.

Christians are called to resist the devil’s schemes through prayer, spiritual discernment, and steadfast faith in God’s promises and power. Most importantly, soaking themselves in the presence of God and allowing His word to be their guide, shield, and sword against the devil.

Psalms 139:5 – You go before me and follow me. You place Your hand of blessing on my head.

Psalms 97:5 – The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

What happens when their mountains face the LORD?

1. They melt like wax at His presence that reveals His majestic power. What does it mean?
2. Even the most stable and immovable elements of nature would be reduced to nothingness in His presence.
3. It speak of God’s ability to help them overcome any obstacle and defeat any enemy.
4. They need to place their trust and hope in the glorious power of His presence.
5. As they draw near to God and submit to Him, He will saturate them with His presence. It is in this place them find victory and success. Amen.

Conclusion: Dear Church and friends, let us take to heart this timeless message of Isaiah 45:1-2.

There are victories lay before us in our life’s challenges and battles; there are doors open for us to take charge, and the enemy seems powerless against us.

Believe that God will empower and guide us, He will level the mountains that obstructs us, breaking down gates of bronze that confines the captives, and cut the bars of iron, for us to set them free. We are a blessing to the captives and the needy ones.

As we carry out the mission of God in our life, may we find comfort in the assurance that God goes before us, guiding us in every step of the way. There will be mountains, bronze gates, and iron bars to stop us. We may reach a point and think of the impossibilities, the terror of the opponents, the fear, the worries, and the negative thoughts and setbacks we’re facing.

Bear in mind that these are part and parcel of our mission. Our mission will succeed as long as we are aligned with God’s mission. Just press on and move forward with the anointing of the Holy Spirit. May we live with confidence and courage, knowing that we are God’s anointed and His chosen vessels to accomplish His mission on earth. Amen.