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.
Scriptures we have been looking at all year:
(Proverbs 4:25 TPT)
Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions.
(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.
Focus for today:
Setting the Stage. (From 1 Samuel 24:1-7)
Earlier in this series, I made the following points:
— As recipients of grace, we are expected to become extenders of grace. Said another way: since grace has come TO you, the Father expects you to allow His grace to flow THROUGH you.
— Forgiven people are to forgive people. The more you realize how much God has forgiven you, the more you should be inclined to forgive others.
In chapter 24, David exemplifies those points. David extended grace, mercy, and forgiveness to Saul in a way that could only have come because of His relationship with the Father. This shows maturity beyond his years. I will tell you what happened.
After Saul returned from fighting the Philistines, he was told that David had gone into the wilderness of En-Gedi. So Saul chose 3,000 of his most elite troops and searched for David and his men near an area known as ‘The Rocks of the Wild Goats.’ When Saul and his forces arrived at where the road passes some sheepfolds, Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. Hey, he was a king, but he was still human. He had to do what we all do. But what happened next was amazing.
Saul just so happened to use the bathroom in the cave that David was hiding in. As Saul was doing ‘his thing,’ all alone, without any guards, David’s men saw him and whispered to him, saying, “Today the LORD is telling you, ‘I will certainly put your enemy into your power, to do with as you wish.'” This was David’s opportunity. Saul was in a completely vulnerable position (you know what I mean).
David crept up to Saul while he was still relieving himself and cut a piece of the king’s robe off. But as soon as he did, David’s conscience began to bother him because he had come close to killing the king. David thought, “The LORD knows I shouldn’t have done that to my lord the king. The LORD forbid that I should do this to my lord the king and attack the LORD’s anointed one, for the LORD himself has chosen him.” So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul. I will stop here for today, but what happened next is awesome.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Honoring God’s Timing and Sovereignty.
In the New Testament Paul quoted Leviticus when he said, “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD” (Rom 12:19, Lev 19:18).
David could have easily killed Saul in that cave, and He could have seen Saul being there as a sign that God wanted him to do it, but David feared the Lord more than he was frustrated with Saul. David put the Lord above his personal feelings and refused to cross the line regarding Saul. David chose to leave vengeance and recompense to the Lord. David knew the Lord would see to it that Saul received what he had coming, and he did not need to get involved in the Lord’s business. You would do well in doing the same. Don’t try to get people back for the wrong they do to you. The Lord will do a better job than you ever could.
How this applies to you:
— David’s decision to spare Saul in the cave showcases David’s deep reverence for God’s sovereignty and his willingness to wait for God’s plan to unfold naturally.
— What David did is a powerful reminder that even when we feel justified in taking matters into our own hands, we must submit to God’s authority and trust His timeline.
— Trust God’s timing even when you feel you have a right to act.
— Recognize that God’s ways are higher than our ways, even in difficult situations.
— Remember that honoring God often means making choices that seem counterintuitive.
— Allow your reverence for God to guide your actions, especially in moments of crisis.
— Recognize that sparing your enemies can be an act of faith in God’s justice and timing.
— Resist the temptation to force outcomes, instead surrendering to God’s plan.
2. The Grace to Extend Mercy.
Even if you believe you know WHAT God has destined you to become, you may not know HOW it will happen. And even if you believe you know HOW, you may not know WHEN it will happen. Many things factor into God’s plan for your life, and what this means for you is that you must develop divine patience. The right thing at the wrong time becomes the wrong thing. The right end pursued by the wrong means becomes the wrong end.
David could have killed Saul in that cave, but if he did, he would have been pursuing the right thing the wrong way and he would have been outside of the will of God. The message here is that you WILL become the person God has destined you to become, but you must endure the process. The good news is that the same grace you will need when you step into your success is also on you now, as you wait and develop into the person God needs you to be when the door of opportunity swings wide open.
How this applies to you:
— David’s decision to spare Saul is a beautiful illustration of extending grace to one’s enemies. Despite Saul’s relentless persecution, David chose mercy over vengeance. This act mirrors the grace God extends to us, even when we rebel against Him.
— David lived before Jesus, but his actions aligned with Jesus’ teachings to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
— Practice extending grace to those who have wronged you, reflecting God’s mercy.
— Recognize that showing mercy to enemies is a powerful testimony of God’s work in your life, and it is a sign of your maturity.
— Understand that forgiveness is more about freeing yourself than excusing others’ actions.
— Remember that extending mercy doesn’t mean tolerating abuse, but it does mean releasing bitterness.
— Understand that sparing your enemies is a powerful demonstration of God’s grace working through you.
3. The Power of a Clear Conscience.
David’s conscience troubled him even for cutting off a piece of Saul’s robe. This sensitivity to God demonstrates the purity of David’s heart and his desire to please God in all things. It’s a powerful reminder that as believers, we should be attuned to the Holy Spirit’s conviction and quick to repent even for small transgressions.
How this applies to you:
— Cultivate sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your life.
— To walk with God effectively, you must learn to discern the divine promptings of the Holy Spirit.
— Take even small sins seriously, recognizing that they can lead to bigger compromises.
— Prioritize maintaining a clear conscience before God and others.
— Use moments of conviction as opportunities for growth with God. When you are quick to repent, you are showing God that your only desire is to do whatever He leads you to do
— Reflect on how sparing your enemies contributes to maintaining a clear conscience before God. This is important because a clear conscience leads to confidence in your walk with God.
4. Leadership Through Godly Example.
David not only refrained from harming Saul himself but also restrained his men from taking action. This showcases David’s leadership qualities and his commitment to guiding others in righteousness. By his example, David taught his followers about respect for authority, trust in God’s timing, and the importance of maintaining integrity even in challenging circumstances.
How this applies to you:
— Recognize that your actions have the power to influence others, for better or worse.
— Lead by example, demonstrating godly principles in your decision-making. People are watching!
— Use your influence to guide others towards trusting God and honoring His ways.
— Understand that true leadership often involves making unpopular but righteous choices.
— The way you treat those you oppose you can demonstrate the power of God’s grace to those who follow you.
— Remember that your integrity in private moments shapes your public influence.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I trust in Your perfect timing, even when circumstances tempt me to take matters into my own hands.
I choose to extend mercy and grace to those who have wronged me, reflecting Your unmerited favor towards me.
My conscience remains clear as I stay attuned to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in every decision.
I lead by example, demonstrating godly principles even when difficult or unpopular.
Your sovereignty reigns supreme in my life, and I submit my plans and desires to Your perfect will.
I resist the urge for revenge, knowing that vengeance belongs to You alone.
My patience grows stronger as I wait for Your promises to manifest in Your appointed time.
I honor those in authority, recognizing that all authority ultimately comes from You.
Your grace empowers me to show kindness to my enemies, just as You have shown kindness to me.
GREATER IS COMING FOR ME as I align my actions with Your Word and walk in obedience to Your ways.
I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!????????????????
