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 17:12-32)
In our last message, we left off the story with both armies mustered against each other, with nothing to separate them but the valley of Elah, and with Goliath (the giant) taunting every day with nothing but words. Goliath’s size and his words left the Israelite army paralyzed in fear. Let’s pick up the story from there.
As we know by now, Jesse had eight sons. His three oldest boys—Eliab, Abinadab, and Shimea—were part of Saul’s army. They were within the ranks that were paralyzed with fear of Goliath. Once Saul went out to deal with the threat against his nation, David was released from the palace, and he was back home with his father, Jesse. He went back to tending to his father’s sheep.
Since David was home, he had not idea what was going on in the Valley of Elah. Twice a day (morning and evening) for 40 days, Goliath strutted in front of the Israelite army and made his offer, and for 40 days, not one Israeli Soldier stepped forth. Goliath’s words struck fear in Saul and his men. The old adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” may have worked on the playground, but in real life, words have power. I have taught several series on the power of words, and this case is a good example.
During this time, Jesse asked David to take a basket of roasted grain and bread to his brothers on the frontline. Jesse also sent cheese for the boys’ captain. David left the sheep with another shepherd and set out early the next morning with the food. David arrived at the camp just as the Israelite army was leaving for the battlefield.
David followed the army as they assembled on their side of the valley. He left the food with the Supply Sergeant as he looked for his brothers. As soon as David found his brothers, Goliath, the Philistine champion, came out from the enemy’s ranks to perform his daily taunt. To David’s surprise, many Israeli Soldiers ran at the mere sight of Goliath. David asked a few Soldiers why they were running, and they replied, “Have you seen the giant? He comes out each day to defy Israel. The king has offered a huge reward to anyone who kills him. He will give that man one of his daughters for a wife, and the man’s entire family will be exempted from paying taxes!” David asked for clarification on the reward, and his oldest brother, Eliab, heard David and got angry, saying, “What are you doing around here anyway? What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!” David replied, “What have I done now? I was only asking a question!” Ignoring his brother, David went to King Saul and said, “Don’t worry about this uncircumcised Philistine, I’ll go fight him!” We’ll stop here for today.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Satan engages us in a war of words.
In our passage, we see how satan used Goliath to speak words of fear and intimidation, paralyzing Saul and his entire army. Similarly, satan attempts to use words to instill fear and doubt in us today. However, when David arrived, he spoke words of faith and victory, declaring he would kill the giant. This contrast highlights the power of our words in spiritual warfare.
How this applies to you:
— Recognize that Satan often uses words to attack your faith and confidence in God.
— Be aware of the negative words and thoughts that try to instill fear in your heart. Fear is satan’s currency.
— Choose to speak words of faith and victory, like David, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. Just like God calls the end from the beginning (calling those things that are not as though they were), when we live by faith, we speak what God is leading us to receive, not what we see with our natural eyes.
— Guard your heart against the constant barrage of negative words from the world and media. Satan uses this to keep people in bondage and fear.
— Align your words with God’s truth and promises, not with the enemy’s lies.
— Use your words to encourage yourself and others in faith, countering the enemy’s tactics.
— Regularly declare God’s promises over your life and situations, just as David declared victory over Goliath.
— Remember that your words have power – choose to speak life, faith, and victory in every situation.
— This is why I have written two affirmations books. These books are designed to help you declare God’s Word over every area of your life.
2. You need spiritual discernment in challenging times.
God’s grace empowers us to discern His voice amidst the chaos of competing words. By His grace, we can hear the voice of opportunity where others only hear fear. David heard what no one else heard.
How this applies to you:
— Rely on God’s grace to sharpen your spiritual senses and discernment.
— To walk with God successfully, we must learn to discern the divine impulses of the Holy Spirit.
— Ask the Holy Spirit to help you filter out distracting voices and focus on God’s truth. This is why we must fill our hearts with God’s Word.
— Trust that God’s grace is sufficient to guide you through challenging and/or confusing circumstances.
— Regularly immerse yourself in God’s Word to train your spiritual ears.
— Be confident that God’s grace enables you to discern His will, even in challenging times.
— While Saul and his entire army were paralyzed in fear, having heard Goliath’s taunts 80 times (twice a day for 40 days), young David just heard it once, and he knew what to do! This is how we want to live!
3. See life through the lens of faith empowered by grace.
God’s grace allows us to see situations from His perspective, transforming our response to challenges. This grace-empowered vision helps us focus on God’s promises rather than obstacles.
How this applies to you:
— Allow God’s grace to shape your perspective on difficult situations.
— Trust that God’s grace is sufficient to overcome any obstacle you face.
— Meditate on God’s promises, knowing His grace enables you to lay hold of them.
— Choose to see your circumstances through God’s eyes, not your natural limitations.
— Remember that God’s grace gives you the ability to see the invisible and believe the impossible.
— There are countless things you cannot do in your own humanity, but once you consider the grace of God, there is nothing you can’t do that God is leading you to do. Without God, you cannot. But with God, you can do all things!
4. Embrace your divine assignment with confidence in God’s grace.
God’s grace not only calls us to our divine assignment but also equips us to fulfill it. This grace-based confidence allows us to step out in faith, knowing God will see us through.
How this applies to you:
— Rest in the assurance that God’s grace is sufficient for every task He assigns you.
— Step out boldly, knowing God’s grace empowers you beyond your natural abilities.
— Trust that God’s grace will manifest in your weaknesses, making you strong in Him and making sure God gets the glory (because it will be clear that you were not capable of doing it without God).
— Embrace challenges as opportunities for God’s grace to shine through you.
— Remember that your confidence comes from God’s grace, not your own capabilities.
— When you understand the power of God’s grace, you glory in your weaknesses. You let everyone know that you are NOT doing what you are doing in your own strength; it is the grace of God!
5. Stand firm in the face of opposition by God’s grace.
God’s grace gives us the strength to stand firm when faced with criticism or doubt. It empowers us to remain resolute in our God-given convictions and calling.
How this applies to you:
— Rely on God’s grace to stand firm when others question your calling or abilities.
— David’s brothers were questioning him, his intentions, and his ability. But David did not allow that to stop him. He ignored them! We have been learning this year, from Proverbs 4:25 (TPT), to ignore life’s distractions.
— Let God’s grace embolden you to pursue His will, regardless of opposition.
— Trust that God’s grace is sufficient to sustain you through any challenge or criticism.
— Use opposition as an opportunity to demonstrate the power of God’s grace in your life.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I thank You for Your great grace that empowers me to stand strong in the face of satan’s war of words.
Satan is a liar, and You are the truth! I declare that Your truth overpowers every lie and negative word spoken against me.
By Your grace, I develop keen spiritual discernment to recognize Your voice amidst the chaos of competing words.
I choose to see every situation through the lens of faith, empowered by Your amazing grace.
I stand firm against all opposition, anchored in the unshakeable power of Your grace.
Your words of truth and life flow through me, declaring victory over every giant I face.
I am Your mouthpiece, speaking faith and courage into every situation, just as David did.
My words align with Your promises, and I declare Your victory in my life and circumstances.
I rest in the assurance that Your grace is more than sufficient for me in all things.
I have the grace to face my Goliath! This is how 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!
