Is Donald Trump Anointed?
President Donald Trump has plenty of haters. Yet, it seems like the more someone attacks the President, the more that person suffers. Consider Kathy Griffin, who held up a replica of Donald Trump’s decapitated head in a photoshoot. That’s probably not the smartest move, unless you’re trying to make friends with Secret Service agents. Well, the stunt effectively ended Kathy Griffin’s career. She blamed Trump, saying “he broke me.” She’s not alone.
Senator Jeff Flake is a prominent anti-Trump Republican. Indeed, he even went so far as to write a book about how much he disliked Trump. Not long after, he said he wouldn’t seek re-election. The Republican Party belongs to Trump now, and there’s no room for politicians like Jeff Flake in it.
Then there’s the National Football League. In a speech, President Trump pointed out the anti-Americanism of football players kneeling during the national anthem. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reacted by attacking Trump for what he called an “unfortunate lack of respect.” His strategy backfired spectacularly. Ratings are way down and many stadiums are half-empty.
Speaking of sports, ESPN is an absolute dumpster fire. It didn’t help that one of their on-air personalities called President Trump a white supremacist and never apologized for it. This year alone, they’ve laid off over 200 employees.
Most recently, popular media personality Matt Lauer was fired for inappropriate sexual behavior. Well, he likely played a direct role in leaking the “Access Hollywood” tape. At the very least, he consented to its release. That’s what you like to call irony.
These are just a few of the highlights. Now, some people have called this phenomenon the Trump curse. In reality, it has nothing to do with President Trump. Unfortunate things happen to public figures who spitefully attack and oppose President Trump because he’s anointed. What is the anointing?
If someone is anointed by God, it means the Lord has chosen and equipped that person for an important task. There are several examples of individuals who were anointed in the Bible. Joseph was anointed by God to save the Jewish people from famine (Genesis 50:20). Nebuchadnezzar was anointed to judge the people of Judah (Jeremiah 25:1-11). Cyrus the Persian was anointed to return the Jews to the land of Israel (2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Isaiah 44:28; 45:1). What’s the common theme? These individuals were chosen for specific tasks and they executed those tasks despite opposition. Incidentally, there is almost always opposition to God’s anointed ones. That said, resistance is futile.
The Lord declared in Psalm 105:15 “Do not touch My anointed ones.” Now, this verse isn’t saying that pastors or leaders are untouchable or above criticism. That’s nonsense, because all Christians are anointed (1 John 2:20). In fact, the anointing of God that followers of Jesus have received teaches us about all things (1 John 2:27). Besides, David was sharply rebuked by Nathan and he was anointed (1 Samuel 16:13; 2 Samuel 12:1-14). Constructive criticism is not only welcome, but also necessary, so that anointed people continue following the Lord’s will.
No, Psalm 105:15 is a command not to oppose God’s chosen servants, because in doing so you’re opposing His will. Gamaliel understood this concept well. With regard to the early Christians he said “Stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown” (Acts 5:38). He added “But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God” (Acts 5:39). Fighting against God is always a losing battle. Likewise, God will not be mocked (Galatians 6:7). If you disrespect, mock or attack God’s anointed, you’re disrespecting, mocking and attacking God. This is why David refused to harm Saul (1 Samuel 24:6; 26:9). Saul had been anointed (1 Samuel 10:1). What happens when you attack God’s anointed?
Simply put, the attacks will backfire. Look at the life of Joseph. First, he was sold into slavery by his brothers (Genesis 37:28). As a slave, however, he became the right-hand man of a powerful Egyptian named Potiphar (Genesis 39:1-5). Sadly, Potiphar’s wife made up some sexual harassment claims against Joseph and got him thrown in jail (Genesis 39:19-20). Yes, Potiphar’s wife and Gloria Allred would’ve been best friends. Yet in jail, he became the warden’s right-hand man (Genesis 39:21). Eventually, through his God-given gift of interpreting dreams, he was released from prison and became Pharaoh’s right-hand man (Genesis 41:39-45). Everyone that attacked him was under his authority. Even his brothers begged him for food (Genesis 42:6-7).
Then there’s Elisha, an anointed prophet (1 Kings 19:16). One day, some kids mocked him. Elisha cursed them in the name of the Lord and two bears came out of the woods and mauled them (2 Kings 2:23-24). What about Nebuchadnezzar? Jeremiah warned Israel’s ruler Zedekiah not to resist Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 38:17-23). Zedekiah didn’t listen (Jeremiah 52:3). As a result, Zedekiah watched his family die and then had his eyes gouged out (Jeremiah 52:10-11).
In light of all this, is there any way to stop someone who is anointed? The only way an anointed person can fail is if that individual turns against God. Saul is a good example. He was anointed to rule over Israel (1 Samuel 10:1). Unfortunately, he disobeyed God’s orders (1 Samuel 15). It brought about his destruction (1 Samuel 31). In other words, keep praying for President Donald Trump.
Of course, there are objections to all of this. For example, some people think God doesn’t anoint leaders anymore. Who told them that? Many leaders have been anointed by God in the past and the Bible never says He stopped. By the way, leaders came under demonic influence in the past (Daniel 10:13) and even satanic influence (Ezekiel 28:1-19). The Bible doesn’t say that has stopped either. Perhaps that explains the previous American administration?
Other people object that Donald Trump isn’t a Christian. How would they know? Also, whether he is a Christian or not doesn’t matter. Neither Cyrus nor Nebuchadnezzar were believers early in their lives, but they were both anointed. During his reign, Cyrus openly acknowledged the Lord (2 Chronicles 36:22-23). Nebuchadnezzar did the same, and he had a much rowdier past than Donald Trump (Daniel 4). Trump quite obviously respects the Lord and has publicly acknowledged Jesus as Lord and Savior. He has even allowed a group of evangelical pastors to lay hands on him and pray for him.
All told, Donald Trump fits the biblical pattern of an anointed leader. What is he anointed to do? Time will tell. In the meantime, we should pray that Donald Trump faithfully follows God’s plan for his presidency and praise the Lord for showing mercy on our country.