Note: I preached a powerful message yesterday where I shared my personal testimony. If you are interested in hearing it, here is the link:
Today, we continue our series entitled “Laser Focus,” emphasizing living with a Laser Focus on the Fixed Purpose God established for us before the world began.
(Proverbs 4:25 TPT)
Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions.
Scriptures for today:
(James 1:2-4 TPT)
2 My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can!
3 For you know that when your faith is tested, it stirs up power within you to endure all things.
4 And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.
(Ecc 3:1 ERV)
There is a right time for everything, and everything on earth will happen at the right time
Setting the Stage: (Based on 1 Samuel 16:1-13)
We spent the first three months of the year laying the foundation for this series. We then spent three months studying the life of Joseph. I trust you enjoyed that. Now, we will study David’s life. This will take us more than three months, for sure. Here are some of the things we will study:
— David’s selection by the prophet Samuel
— Serving the King as a musician
— Defeating the giant
— His meteoric rise to fame
— His friendship with Jonathan
— The rejection of King Saul
— Life on the run
— The death of Saul
— David’s ascension to King of Judah
— David’s ascension to kKing of a unified Israel
— David and Bathsheba (his low point in life)
This is going to be a fantastic ride! I love David.
Before we discuss David in 1st Samuel chapter 16, I would like to have people read chapter 15. In chapter 15, the Lord, through the prophet Samuel, told King Saul to attack and utterly destroy Amalek for attacking Israel when they came out of Egypt. He was to kill everyone and destroy all possessions, including all animals. Saul, however, chose to spare Agag, the Amelekite King, and he also spared the best of the animals. Saul decided that he wanted to make a sacrifice to the Lord with these animals. God sent Samuel again to Saul, but this time to inform him that he no longer had God’s favor. The prophet told the King that he was no longer “little in his own eyes,” and he had somehow arrived at the point where he thought he could disobey or dismiss God’s commands. Samuel said, “Obedience is better than Sacrifice.” When Samuel left the King, he never went back to see him until the day of his death. This truly grieved the prophet, because he truly loved Saul.
In the next chapter, the Lord told the prophet Samuel to visit Jesse’s house because He had selected one of Jesse’s boys to be Saul’s replacement, the next King of Israel. Jesse hailed from the tribe of Judah, was a great-grandson of Boaz and Ruth, and lived in Bethlehem. Samuel knew that if King Saul found out he was going to Bethlehem to anoint his replacement, Saul would have him killed. So Samuel took an animal for sacrifice to make his trip look like a routine act of worship.
When the prophet arrived in Bethlehem, he told the town Elders that he was there for a sacrifice. Samuel then proceeded to Jesse’s house and asked Jesse to join his sons in the purification rite normally performed before a proper sacrifice. The text says that Jesse and his sons joined in the purification ritual; I will bring this back up later.
Once everyone was ceremonially clean, Samuel was ready to make his selection. However, before he left for his trip, the Lord clearly said to him, “You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” You would think a prophet would not need to be reminded of this, but the Lord said it for a reason. As Samuel stood there, looking at Jesse and his boys, Samuel could not help but be impressed with Jesse’s eldest son, Eliab. Samuel thought to himself, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” Samuel was impressed with how good Eliab looked, but the Lord said, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
After God rejected Eliab, Jesse went to the next son Abinadab, and the next, and the next, until he had gone through all seven sons. At this point, Samuel was confused. He asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse had to admit that he had another son, the youngest, David, but he was out tending the sheep. Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” We will stop here for today.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. God Values Obedience Over Sacrifice or Worship.
When Saul disobeyed God’s command to utterly destroy the Amalekites, he thought he could make up for it with sacrifices. However, Samuel’s rebuke, “Obedience is better than sacrifice,” highlights that God desires our complete obedience more than our offerings.
How this applies to you:
— Prioritize following God’s commands over religious rituals or traditions.
— You can sing all the songs you want, but if you don’t do what God says, God will not be pleased.
— Understand that partial obedience is still disobedience in God’s eyes.
— Embrace the importance of listening to God’s voice and following His instructions.
— Reflect on areas in your life where you might be compromising obedience for convenience.
— Seek to align your actions with God’s will, even when it’s challenging.
— What Saul did was based in pride. He was comfortable with God and thought he could make his own decisions. Don’t let pride cause you to get chastised by God. If you are full of pride, God will humble you.
— Remain little in your own eyes!
2. God Looks at the Heart.
When Samuel went to anoint one of Jesse’s sons, he was initially impressed by Eliab’s appearance. However, God reminded Samuel that He does not look at outward appearances but at the heart. God’s criteria for selection and approval are based on the inside, not the outside.
How this applies to you:
— Focus on cultivating a heart that is pure and devoted to God.
— Realize that external appearances and human accolades do not determine your value in God’s eyes.
— Seek to develop inner qualities such as humility, integrity, and faithfulness.
— Remember that God values your character over your outward accomplishments.
— Allow God to shape your heart according to His purposes.
— Your goal should be to develop a heart that is dedicated to God and malleable in His hands.
3. God’s Choice May Defy Human Expectations.
David was not even considered initially by his father, Jesse. Yet, God chose David, the youngest and seemingly least likely, to be anointed as King. This illustrates that God’s choices often defy human expectations.
How this applies to you:
— Be open to the unexpected ways God might work in your life and the lives of others.
— Recognize that human perceptions or limitations do not limit God’s plans.
— Trust that God sees potential in you that others may overlook.
— Allow God to use you in ways that might surprise even you.
— Embrace the opportunities God presents, even if they seem unlikely or unconventional.
— What God has for you is for you. He will not release YOUR OIL on anyone else!
— Even if the world dismisses you, God can see to it that you get promoted in front of the people who wrote you off.
— When you least expect it, while you are doing what you normally do (in this case, it was tending sheep), the Lord can bless you and change your life forever.
4. God Prepares You for His Purpose.
David’s time as a shepherd prepared him for his future role as King. His experiences in the fields, though humble and challenging, equipped him with the skills and character needed to lead Israel. This will become evident as we study His life.
How this applies to you:
— Trust that your current circumstances are part of God’s preparation for your future.
— Embrace the lessons and growth that come from your everyday experiences. God is preparing you every day!
— Understand that God uses both your triumphs and trials to equip you for His purpose.
— Reflect on how God is developing your character through your present challenges.
— Be patient and faithful, knowing that God’s timing and preparation are perfect.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I declare that I will prioritize obedience over sacrifice, embracing Your will above all else.
I commit to cultivating a pure and devoted heart, knowing You see my true self and have chosen me for a unique purpose.
I trust in Your divine wisdom and plans, even when they defy human understanding and expectations.
I will remain faithful in my current circumstances, confident that You are preparing me for greater things.
I hold onto the dreams and visions You have given me, trusting in Your timing and provision.
I rest in knowing that even when the world overlooks me, and they underestimate what I am called to do, I thank You for never giving up on me and for exalting me in due season.
You will see to it that those who wrote me off are present for my promotion and exaltation, and even when it happens, I will reject pride and remain little in my own eyes.
Living this way, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME!
I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
