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 16:14-23)
Yesterday, we saw how David, who seemingly attempted to go back to his normal life, was quickly summoned by the king to serve as his personal musician. I can only imagine how this went over in Mr. Jesse’s household. First, the king’s personal Prophet visited Bethlehem and caused a commotion in the town. The Prophet visited Jesse’s house and anointed David to be the next king of Israel right in front of his father and brothers, the same people who had omitted him from the lineup. If that were not enough, after the Prophet left and they attempted to return to life as usual, a royal messenger knocked on Jesse’s door and said, “Mr. Jesse, King Saul requests that you send him your son David, the shepherd.”
Once again, notice how David did nothing to initiate all the commotion. David was minding his own business and going about his daily routine when his brother came to get him for the impromptu coronation ceremony. Later, after David attempted to return to his everyday life, he was minding his own business again when the royal messenger knocked on the door. Do you know what it’s called when you seemingly do nothing to initiate God’s blessing, but it comes anyway? The answer, my friend, is grace. David was a grace case start-to-finish. God sought him out, and God went out of His way to bless David richly. It was not because David earned or deserved it but because of God’s amazing grace.
Jesse was not going to turn down the king, so he sent David to Saul. While all of this was going on, David was just rolling with the punches. David did not question the coronation, nor did he question the call from the king. David went to King Saul and began serving him. Whenever the tormenting spirit troubled Saul, David would play the harp, the spirit would go away, and Saul would feel better. Saul sent word to Jesse, asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.” The Bible says, “Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer.”
We will stop here for today.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. There is a certain level of mystery associated with walking with God.
I like to know what is going on. If you are a planner like me, you like to project out plans months or years in advance. However, sometimes, we must be reminded that we only get to know whatever the Lord chooses to reveal to us. We won’t know everything, but we will know what we need to know in order to walk and live by faith. David did not know what was going on, but he knew God was doing something, and he flowed with it. We should do the same.
How this applies to you:
— God reveals His plans progressively, not all at once. This means that God will reveal enough for you to walk and live by faith in the moment, but He won’t reveal everything. If He did, you would not need faith.
— Embrace the unknown as part of your faith journey.
— Trust that God’s partial revelation is sufficient for your next step.
— Cultivate a spirit of expectancy, knowing God has more to unveil and reveal.
— Find peace in knowing that God’s mysteries are part of His perfect plan for you.
— Embrace the journey of discovery as God unfolds His plan step by step.
— Learn to find joy in the process, not just the outcome of God’s plan.
2. When God opens a door, walk through it with trust and confidence.
David had to trust God while he was tending his father’s sheep. While in the fields, he experienced hand-to-paw combat with a lion and a bear, and he wound up killing both animals with his bare hands. Now, at the point where we are in his story, the Lord was leading him in a different direction, one that took him before the king of Israel. David did what was asked of him, trusting God the entire way. The same God who kept him on the plains would keep him in the palace. And what was true for David is true for you. Walk through every door the Father opens for you, knowing He is not leading you to failure! The same God who kept you then will keep you now!
How this applies to you:
— Recognize that open doors are often God’s invitations to a greater purpose.
— Step out in faith, knowing that God’s grace is sufficient for every new challenge and opportunity.
— Remember your past victories with God and use them to help keep your heart open to future successes.
— Embrace new opportunities as chances to showcase God’s faithfulness.
— Trust that God’s timing in opening doors is always perfect.
— Understand that open doors may lead to unexpected destinations in God’s plan.
— Remember that, like sheep, you may not know where you are going, but that’s okay, just as long as you know who you are following!
3. Human obedience aligns us to experience God’s blessing.
David’s willingness to serve Saul, despite his own anointing as future king, demonstrates how obedience positions us for God’s blessings. When we submit to God’s current assignment, regardless of how it aligns with our understanding of His ultimate plan, we open ourselves to His divine orchestration.
How this applies to you:
— It takes humility to serve another man’s assignment and vision when you know you are called and anointed for your own.
— Recognize that every assignment from God, big or small, is significant.
— Understand that your current position may be preparing you for future promotion.
— Trust that God can use seemingly mundane tasks to develop your character.
— Embrace the principle that faithfulness in little things leads to rulership over much.
— Believe that your obedience today is setting the stage for God’s miracles tomorrow.
— Recognize that obedience often precedes the understanding of God’s mysterious plan.
— Trust that your current assignment, however unclear, fits into God’s greater purpose.
— Just remain faithful over your NOW, knowing that God will release you into your NEXT at the right time.
4. God’s favor can quickly change your circumstances.
David’s swift transition from shepherd to the king’s court illustrates how God’s favor can rapidly alter your situation. David’s life changed forever over the course of a few weeks. This sudden elevation wasn’t due to David’s striving but was a result of God’s grace and perfect timing.
How this applies to you:
— Stay ready for God’s sudden promotions in your life. While I have been teaching you a great deal about faith and patience, know that sometimes God chooses to give you a SUDDEN blessing. Thank God for the SUDDENLIES!
— Remain humble, knowing that swift promotions are by God’s grace, not your own merit.
— Understand that sudden changes are often part of God’s intricate design for your life.
— Trust that God can use your unique skills and talents in unexpected ways. Who would have thought that God would use David’s harp-playing skills?
— Remain flexible, as God’s mysterious plan may unfold in surprising ways.
5. God’s ways are higher than our ways.
Isaiah 55:9 reminds us, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” This truth is evident in David’s journey. Who would have thought that a shepherd boy would become the musician to the king, and eventually the king himself? God’s plan for David, like His plan for us, often defies human logic and expectations. When we can’t understand God’s methods or timing, we must remember that His perspective is infinitely greater than ours. Just as David couldn’t see the full picture when he was anointed or when he was called to serve Saul, we, too, must trust in God’s higher ways, even when His plan doesn’t make sense to us.
How this applies to you:
— Accept that God’s plan may not always make sense from your perspective. But rest in knowing that God knows what He is doing.
— Trust in God’s wisdom even when His plan seems counterintuitive.
— Remember that the mystery in God’s plan often leads to greater testimonies.
— Cultivate patience as God’s mysterious plan unfolds in His perfect timing. You can’t rush God; when He finally does it, you will look back and acknowledge that His timing was perfect.
— Embrace the adventure of walking and living by faith, not by sight, in God’s mysterious plan. #TheGraceLife is exciting!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I embrace the level of mystery involved with my walk with You, knowing You reveal what I need when I need it.
I step through every door You open with trust and confidence, assured that Your grace is sufficient.
I stand in awe of Your favor, knowing You can change my life SUDDENLY!
I remain faithful in small things, trusting You’re preparing me for greater responsibilities.
I believe Your favor overrides human limitations, using my unique talents in unexpected ways.
I live each day with expectancy, knowing You have more to unveil and reveal in Your perfect plan for me.
I anchor my faith in Your love, and I am sure that GREATER IS COMING FOR ME because You love me!
I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. AMEN!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
