READ: 1 Samuel 16:11-14
“Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” – Psalm 51:11
The Spirit upon you is the gift of God. The scripture says that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Therefore God does not take away His gifts from a person (Romans 11:29). Since the presence of God is the person of God, you may continue to have the gift but He Himself, the Giver of the gift may not be with you. I can give you a gift but I may not be with you as you enjoy the gift.
Take a look at two biblical examples who illustrate this mysterious principle of having the anointing but losing the presence of God.
1. Saul
Saul was anointed to be the king and remained anointed as the king to the end of his life. God never took away the anointing of kingship from him. However, we read in the Bible that the Spirit of God left Saul (1 Samuel 16:13-14). Saul maintained the gift of kingship to the very end but Saul also lost the presence of the Spirit!
2. David
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Psalm 51:11
King David knew that he could also lose the presence of the Spirit (Psalm 51:11). He knew the presence of God could leave him even though he was still the king. He knew what happened to Saul so he cried, “Do not take away your presence from me.” King David knew that he could have the gift of the throne but would be without the presence of God. He would continue to minister as a psalmist but the presence of God would not be with him.