1 Samuel 26:16
“This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the LORD'S anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.”
David was in the fight for his life when he happened to come across Saul lying in a trench with his security team asleep as well.
Their job was to protect the king. For them to be asleep and not protecting the king from his enemies was worthy of death. Yet, David understood that it wasn't his role to take Saul’s life because he was the “LORD’S anointed.”
There is an important principle taught in this verse, and that is the importance of protecting the LORD’s anointed. We often hear that the responsibility of the pastor is to be a wall-walker and a gate-keeper to protect the church from those things that could harm them. However, what about the responsibility of those whom the pastor protects? They also have a responsibility to keep or guard their pastor. The pastor is as much the LORD’s anointed as was Saul. If Abner was to be sure that Saul was protected from the enemy, then every Christian also have a responsibility to protect their master. There are four areas where you can guard your pastor, the LORD’s anointed.
First, keep him through prayer. 1 Timothy 2:1-2, reminds us, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority…” The importance of praying for your pastor on a daily basis cannot be over emphasized. The pastor is daily under attack by the Devil. You have an obligation to pray that the LORD protects him and gives him wisdom as he leads the church. You have no right to criticize a fallen man of God if you didn't pray for him.
Second, keep him by being in your place of responsibility. Abner should have been fulfilling his duty of protecting Saul, but he was asleep. You could truly take a lot of unneeded pressure off your pastor by making sure you are doing what you are supposed to do. Don't let your continued neglect of your responsibilities be the contributor to frustrating your pastor. Be where you are supposed to be, when you are supposed to be there, all the time.
Third, keep him from the attacks of others. Abner’s greatest responsibility was to be sure that Saul never had to face his enemy. You could stop the attacks against your pastor by not listening or being a part of gossip. Friend, your pastor is not perfect or sinless, he is going to make mistakes, but that doesn't give you a right to criticize or gossip about him. Furthermore, when you hear gossip, you need to let those gossiping know that you don’t appreciate them talking about the LORD’s anointed.
Fourth, keep him by staying in the Word. The one thing that David took was the “…cruse of water that was at his bolster.” God’s Word is called “water” in Ephesians 5:26. If you study the Word every day, you will help your pastor because your growth in Christ will be an encouragement to him. Furthermore, when you stay in the Word, you will be able to foresee false doctrine that is trying to get into the church.
Christian, are you keeping the LORD’s anointed? Don't be asleep like Abner. It is your responsibility to be sure you protect your pastor by doing the four things mentioned above.