The prophet Samuel had been a respected leader and elder of the Israelites. He was trusted in his ability to speak on the authority of God for the people.

In 1 Samuel 9:6 NLT it is said this of Samuel:

“…There is a man of God who lives here in this town. He is held in high honor by all the people because everything he says comes true…”

The Lord tells Samuel in chapter 9 verse 16 that when he meets a man named Saul he is to/

“… Anoint him to be the leader of my people, Israel. He will rescue them from the Philistines…”

Now the people wanted a King to rule over them despite God’s warning.

“Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head. He kissed Saul and said, “I am doing this because the LORD has appointed you to be the ruler over Israel, his special possession. “1 Samuel 10:1 NLT.

Saul however didn’t take up the throne, instead he went on with his life.

Then something happened. An army attacked the Israelite town of Jabesh-gilead.

Word was then brought to Saul…chapter 9: verses 4 and 5 says:

When the messengers came…

Saul had been plowing a field with his oxen…

Saul, though anointed into the position had not yet stepped into his destiny.

The scripture the says the Spirit of the Lord suddenly came then upon Saul and he became angry.

“…And the LORD made the people afraid of Saul’s anger, and all of them came out together as one. Saul mobilized them at Bezek, he found that there were 300,000 men from Israel and 30,000 men from Judah.” 1 Samuel 11:7-8

He lead the army into battle and rescued Israel as God said he would, he was suddenly the King he was meant to be.

Later, David, A young Shepherd boy is anointed by Samuel to replace Saul as King of Israel. David ends up a harp player for King Saul and later one of the most respected and loved Generals by the people. It wasn’t until David was in his 30’s and upon Saul’s death that he becomes King.

Finally a child is born in Bethlehem anointed to be King of Jews at birth. Yet it wasn’t until he hung on the cross did he finally get that title.

“Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” John 19:20 ESV.

In fact only towards the end of Jesus adult life did he actively begin operating in his anointing. Prior to this, we know nothing about Jesus’s life from the age of 12 to 30.

Luke 3:23 NLT confirms this by saying

“…Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.”

At the wedding at Cana, Jesus even told his mother “My time has not yet come.” John 2:4

Three key biblical figures, anointed…but for an appointed time.

And so you my friends we all have an anointing we carry. Don’t worry if you haven’t found yours. There is no expiration date for what God has called for you to do. There is however an appointed time for you to do it.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 Amp says

“There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven—“

It is important to understand that we are operating on God’s timeline. God may have given you a vision for your life, and maybe things aren’t moving as fast as you like, but remember God gave you the anointment and He is in control of the appointment.

“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3 ESV.