Episode Overview

Main Theme:
In this episode titled “The Lord Is My Shepherd,” Pastor Jabin Chavez explores the biblical imagery of God as the shepherd from Psalm 23 and 1 Samuel 16, focusing on the anointing of David. Using vivid storytelling, relatable humor, and practical application, Jabin unpacks what it means to be seen, chosen, and set by God—even amid rejection or obscurity—emphasizing the shepherding nature of God in every believer's life. He particularly relates this to "Anointing Sunday," drawing parallels between David’s anointing and the congregation’s opportunity to receive prayer and oil anointing for the coming year.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Principle of Anointing and Being Seen by God

• Scripture Focus: 1 Samuel 16, Psalm 23

• Context: God sends Samuel to anoint a new king among Jesse’s sons. David, the unlikely candidate, is chosen by God over his seemingly more qualified brothers.

• God’s Perspective Differs From Man’s

  • “The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them.” (01:44)
  • Jabin encourages listeners not to get stuck in the “natural,” but to “go spiritual”—seeing circumstances through God’s eyes, who looks at the heart rather than appearance.

• God Sees the Forgotten and Rejected

  • Jabin tells the story of David’s family background—possibly from a different father, dark-skinned, and rejected by Jesse, symbolizing how God selects and loves the overlooked.
  • Quote: “Man’s rejection is often God’s direction and God’s protection.” (09:48)
  • Reference to Psalm 27:10: “Though my father and mother reject me, the Lord brings me in.”

• Personal Application:

  • Jabin shares his own story of humble beginnings, not from “money or ministry,” but a small town and trailer parks.
  • Quote: “Thank God you’re not God. They couldn’t see it. But I serve a God named Jehovah Rohi.” (12:35)
  • God knows and sees faithfulness and private devotion, even if people do not.

Notable Moment

• Humor: “This is the first episode of the Real Housewives of Jerusalem right there. Amen.” (05:47)

2. God Sees You—Now and Always

• God’s All-Encompassing Knowledge:

  • Even when David wrote, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” he was likely under stress or betrayal (from Absalom). Yet, he affirmed God’s constant gaze and care.
  • Quote: “Even when I can’t trace God, I can trust God, because God sees me.” (05:13)

• Our Response:

  • We must surrender all parts of ourselves—strength (humility) and sin (repentance)—because “God never calls the qualified. He qualifies the called.” (15:42)
  • God is not shocked by our ups and downs—He “anointed all of that, redeemed all of that, baptized all of that in the Holy Spirit.” (14:38–15:13)

• Encouragement to the Prodigal or the Weary:

  • If you feel far, God still sees you—like the prodigal son’s father: “Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son.” (18:31)
  • Cultural note: For a father to run was a “massive social faux pas,” but this illustrates God’s passionate pursuit and embrace.

• Quote:

  • “Because of what Jesus endured on the cross. God is just to love you, just to forgive you, just to embrace you, just to kiss you. Grace is not some weak... Mercy is not some weak thing. It's his justice.” (19:50)

3. God Sets and Anoints You

• God’s Promotion and Timetable:

  • David was anointed in the presence of those who rejected and hated him, receiving the approval from God he never got from people.
  • “When you are anointed, you never have to force your way into anything. Because God promotes. God aligns. God lifts up.” (20:48)

• The Meaning of Anointing:

  • “Samuel put the oil on him, but the Spirit of God came upon him powerfully. That’s going to happen today.” (24:25)
  • Anointing = God smears His power, presence, and protection over you.
    • Everyone responds: “Power, presence, protection.” (25:22)
  • Reference: Acts 10:38, as God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power.

Three Reasons Shepherds Anoint Sheep:

1. For Healing Wounds

   • “The shepherds would pour the anointing oil into the wound... It’s not that we don’t get cut, it’s that we can heal.”
   • “Your scars are no longer your trauma, they’re actually your testimony.” (26:05)

2. To Prevent Harm in Community and Relationships

   • Sheep butted heads; anointing reduced friction and damage—likened to needing God’s anointing in church conflicts, marriage, or teams.
   • Quote: “Not all friction should be the end of a relationship... Relax. Get anointed.” (27:14)

3. For Protection Against the Enemy’s Lies

   • Shepherds poured oil in sheep’s ears to prevent fly larvae; without it, sheep would “go crazy.”
   • “Everybody say, keep the flies out. ...When God anoints my head with oil…he keeps Beelzebub out.” (29:13)

• Spiritual Meaning:
  • The anointing protects your mind, keeping out negative thoughts, lies, and offenses.
  • “He anoints my ears with oil, my eyes with oil, my mouth with oil. So that the deceiver can't come in, lay his eggs, sow his seed of discord on the inside of me.” (30:10)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “It’s only weird if it doesn’t work. Yo, if it works, I’ll do whatever.” — Jabin Chavez (00:39), referring to the anointing tradition in church.
• “Man’s rejection is often God’s direction and God’s protection.” (09:48)
• “Jehovah Rohi — the Lord who sees.” (07:12)
• “Don’t get weird about grace. We all need it.” (20:32)
• “Your scars are no longer your trauma, they’re actually your testimony.” (26:05)
• “Everybody say, keep the flies out... He keeps Beelzebub out. He keeps the lies out. He keeps the hate out.” (29:13)
• Humor/Memorable Moment:
  • “This is the first episode of the Real Housewives of Jerusalem right there. Amen.” (05:47)
  • Playfully ribbing churchgoers on church “honeymoon phase” vs. reality, marriage, and team involvement (27:14–28:36).

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description & Highlights | |:----------:|:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Introduction to Anointing Sunday; explanation of oil anointing (Jabin’s voice, biblical reference) | | 01:44 | "The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them." (Key theme) | | 05:47 | Humor: “The first episode of the Real Housewives of Jerusalem.” | | 06:33 | Declaring “The Lord is my shepherd” — Psalm 23 context | | 09:48 | “Man’s rejection is God’s direction/protection.” | | 12:35 | Personal story: “Thank God you’re not God… I serve Jehovah Rohi.” | | 14:38–15:13| God’s call includes all parts of us—failures and successes; grace and qualification | | 18:31 | The prodigal son and God’s readiness to “run” toward the repentant | | 19:50 | “God is just to love you, just to forgive you… Mercy is not some weak thing. It's his justice.” | | 20:48 | “When you are anointed, you never have to force your way into anything.” | | 24:25 | Anointing defined—Samuel’s oil vs. the Spirit coming upon us | | 25:22 | Three aspects: “Power, presence, protection.” | | 26:05 | Wounds become testimony—healing analogy | | 27:14 | “Not all friction should be the end of a relationship… Get anointed.” (community relations) | | 29:13 | “Keep the flies out”—Protecting mind/heart from enemy's lies | | 30:10 | Final prayer and declaration for God’s anointing protection |

Summary Table: The Anointing of the Shepherd

| Principle | Pastoral Insight | Life Application | |----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------| | God saw me | God finds the overlooked; sees past mistakes | You’re not defined by rejection | | God sees me (now) | God knows your strengths, sins, and future | Surrender all, not just the good | | God sets/anoints me | God promotes, protects, and positions—His way, His time | Wait on God’s timing; trust Him |

Closing Tone

Jabin’s delivery is energetic, humorous, honest, and pastorally encouraging. He weaves personal stories, scriptural insight, and practical encouragement, continually inviting the listener to rest in the care and anointing of Jehovah Rohi—the Lord our Shepherd—who heals, protects, empowers, and sees us fully.

For listeners who missed the episode, this summary provides both the rich theological depth and the practical application, as well as the uplifting, personal, and approachable style characteristic of Pastor Jabin Chavez.