Dedicated and Anointed for the Ministry

Dedicated and Anointed for the Ministry

“Then Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and sanctified them. He sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times, anointed the altar and all its utensils, and the laver and its base, to sanctify them. And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him, to sanctify him.” Lev. 8:10-12.

Everything that was used for ministering in the tabernacle was dedicated and anointed. Aaron himself was anointed at his dedication, so that the oil ran down on the edge of his garments. Ps. 133:2.

Anything that was dedicated and anointed was never again to be taken out of the sanctuary and used in a common way. A curse came over Belshazzar when he used the vessels of gold and silver that had been taken from the temple.

Jesus came into the world as a servant. He dedicated Himself for the ministry by saying to His heavenly Father, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” Heb. 10:9. Everything He said and did was a most holy worship, and He was anointed with the oil of gladness above His companions.

It is the Lord who anoints, and it is useless to pray for the oil of gladness without a proper and wholehearted dedication. Paul was in tribulations, but he always rejoiced. Peter rejoiced with an unspeakable joy that was full of glory, and James rejoiced in various trials, etc.

The apostles usually began their epistles by stating that they were servants of Christ. They were, just as their Master was, dedicated to their Lord and Master for the ministry once and for all, and for them this was a precious and anointed ministry.

There are many people in the world who possess a certain kind of joy, but it is not an anointed joy. They can also be patient to a certain degree, but it is not an anointed patience. They can have a keen eye for this and that, but they do not see with anointed eyes nor hear with anointed ears; instead they misunderstand things and are offended.

Only as dedicated and anointed people can we receive the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, so that we can truly rejoice in hope of receiving our inheritance; then we can serve Him with joy in all kinds of situations.

There are many people who wonder how they can serve God in some way, but if we have entered God’s sanctuary, our entire life will be a most holy worship service. There will be a blessed rest and glory over our life when we know that we, once and for all, have entered into God’s service with everything we think, say, and do, all according to His working and leading in us. Then, when a mother looks after her children, washes the floor or diapers, for her this is a most holy ministry for God, and the result will be thankfulness, songs of praise, and joy from morning till evening. Every day will be rich in glory.

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” Col. 3:23-24. “Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.” Eph. 6:6-8. “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.” Rom. 6:22.

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry . . . .” 1 Tim. 1:12. It is exceedingly great to be put into the ministry for the Lord, and just as holy vessels of gold and silver were not to be taken out of the sanctuary for common use, so we also shall not depart from the sanctuary. Our tongue has once and for all been put into the ministry for God and shall never again be taken out of the sanctuary to be used in an ordinary way. We have a dedicated and anointed tongue, and the Lord has use for it. There are not too many of them in this world.

By His servant’s mind Jesus has shown us the way to true greatness. He said that we should be everyone’s servant and slave. He bent down humbly and washed His disciples’ feet when they returned home from a journey. He served in every possible way. Let us follow Him as humble and faithful servants. “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” John 12:26.

Paul did not lose courage, for he had a share in the ministry of glory. Through his ministry people were transformed from being carnal to being spiritual, from being earthly to being heavenly. Yes, this is a ministry that produces an exceeding abundance of glory, and blessed are those few on earth in these days who exercise this ministry faithfully and diligently under a cover of reproach.