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 24:7-22)
In our last message, we saw how David had an excellent opportunity to kill Saul while he was using the bathroom in a cave, but instead, David chose to spare his life. After Saul had left the cave, David came out and shouted after him, “My lord the king!” Saul was surprised when he turned around and saw David. David immediately bowed low before him, as he had always done, showing Saul that he still respected the king, even though the feeling was not mutual. David then shouted, “Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you? This very day you can see with your own eyes it isn’t true. For the LORD placed you at my mercy back there in the cave. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm the king—he is the LORD’s anointed one.’ Look, my father, at what I have in my hand. It is a piece of the hem of your robe! I cut it off, but I didn’t kill you. This proves that I am not trying to harm you and that I have not sinned against you, even though you have been hunting for me to kill me.”
David became a conduit of grace and mercy that day. By grace, David gave Saul what he did not deserve, and by mercy, he held back what he did deserve. Furthermore, David gave Saul the same honor and respect he always had shown him, which is a great example to us today. David did not allow Saul’s actions to cause him to act differently. David maintained his integrity, even though Saul had lost his.
David went on to say, “May the LORD judge between us. Perhaps the LORD will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you. As that old proverb says, ‘From evil people come evil deeds.’ So you can be sure I will never harm you. Who is the King of Israel trying to catch anyway? Should he spend his time chasing one who is as worthless as a dead dog or a single flea? May the LORD therefore judge which of us is right and punish the guilty one. He is my advocate, and he will rescue me from your power!”
Wow. Not only did David maintain his integrity, and not only did he let his father-in-law know that he could have killed him that day, but he also let him know that he was relying on God to judge Saul — knowing that vengeance and recompense are the Lord’s. David made it clear that the LORD Himself, as his personal advocate, would rescue him from Saul’s power. David’s trust and confidence were in God and God alone! I really want to get to Saul’s reaction, but I will stop here today, and we will pick it up from here tomorrow.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Never allow the actions of others to cause you to change who you are.
Saul changed when David received praise from the people, and he did everything he could to stab David in the back, ultimately getting to the point where he tried, time and time again, to have David killed. However, David never changed his attitude towards Saul. David remained the same, even though Saul did not. As we will see tomorrow, even Saul acknowledged that David was the better man. For you today, the lesson is that you should be who God made you to be, and you must never allow the actions of others to change that.
How this applies to you:
— David’s inner strength and commitment to his values teach us that our behavior should not be dictated by how others treat us but by our moral compass and faith in God.
— Strive to maintain your values and principles, even when others mistreat you.
— Let your actions be rooted in and grounded by your faith rather than your emotions or others’ behavior.
— Remember that consistency in character builds credibility and respect over time. Even Saul had to acknowledge that David was a man of integrity and character.
— Use challenging relationships as opportunities to demonstrate Christ-like behavior.
— When a challenging relationship causes you to lose control of your emotions and you step out of character, internalize what happened because you can never address an issue you are not willing to acknowledge. Reflect on these moments as opportunities for growth and self-improvement.
— We are humans, and we are flawed. We are not robots. There will be times when a challenging relationship causes you to lose your cool or maybe even give up hope, as David did in the Cave of Adullam and as Elijah did when he asked God to take his life. However, if we grow through adversity as David did, we can display the level of integrity and maturity that David did in this passage.
— Recognize that your unwavering integrity can be a powerful testimony to others, because people are watching whether you realize it or not.
2. Walk in Courageous Integrity.
Integrity goes beyond mere words; it’s about consistently aligning your actions with your values, especially in challenging situations. David’s confrontation with Saul exemplifies this “courageous integrity.” He didn’t just claim to respect Saul’s position; he demonstrated it through his actions, even when facing injustice. This alignment between David’s words and actions – his “video” matching his “audio” – is what truly defines integrity. In the pressure of adversity, David’s character was on full display. Your true integrity will be revealed in difficult times.
David’s approach teaches us that we can be both truthful and respectful, firm and reverent. He shows us that it’s possible to stand up for what’s right without compromising our values or disrespecting authority.
How this applies to you:
— David’s words were firm yet respectful, truthful yet not vindictive.
— He showed that confrontation, when done with the right motives and in the right manner, can be a powerful tool for resolving conflicts and clearing misunderstandings.
— Cultivate the courage to address injustices and misunderstandings directly.
— Learn to balance respect for authority with the need to stand up for what’s right.
— Use truth as your defense, presenting evidence calmly and clearly.
— Seek resolution and understanding, not revenge or humiliation.
— Trust in God’s protection when you step out in faith to confront difficult situations.
3. You can be a conduit of grace and mercy and still be bold and courageous at the same time.
David extended Saul grace and mercy in the cave, but he then had the courage and boldness to address the man who was trying to kill him, face-to-face, in front of Saul’s 3,000 elite forces, and David made it clear that while he was not going to touch the king, he was confident that God would. The same man who bowed down to the king after sparing his life turned around and told the king that his judgment day was coming and that it would come from the LORD Almighty!
One thing that is lacking in Christianity today is boldness. Few Christians are bold enough to say what they believe, in love, knowing that their words will sting the person to whom they are speaking. But if the Lord is leading you to say or do something, then you need to say or do it, in love, with confidence and boldness, knowing that the same God who loves sinners will ultimately judge sin. He is a loving God, but He is also a righteous Judge!
How this applies to you:
— Rather than taking revenge into his own hands, David chose to rely on God’s judgment and timing.
— Mature faith that understands God’s sovereignty and trusts in His perfect timing.
— Place your trust in God’s justice rather than seeking personal vengeance.
— Cultivate patience, knowing that God’s timing is perfect even when it doesn’t align with your desires.
— Use prayer as a means of surrendering your grievances to God.
— Focus on maintaining your integrity rather than on how others should be punished.
— Remember that God sees all and will ultimately bring about justice in His way and time.
4. Grace Under Pressure!
David’s decision to spare Saul’s life when he had the perfect opportunity for revenge is a powerful example of extending grace under extreme pressure. This act of mercy wasn’t just a one-time decision in the heat of the moment; it was a reflection of David’s character and his understanding of God’s grace. By choosing mercy over vengeance, David demonstrated a depth of spiritual maturity that set him apart as a man after God’s own heart. His actions teach us about the transformative power of grace and how it can break cycles of violence and resentment.
How this applies to you:
— Choose to extend grace and mercy, especially when it’s difficult to do so. Why? Because God has extended grace and mercy to you.
— If the Holy Spirit leads you to extend grace and mercy, you must realize that doing so will not only minister to the other person, but it will also reflect God’s character in your own life.
— Use challenging situations as opportunities to practice and grow in grace.
— Understand that extending grace doesn’t mean condoning wrongdoing, but rather choosing a higher path.
— Trust that your acts of mercy can have a powerful impact on others, potentially leading to reconciliation and change.
— Living #TheGraceLife is not just about resting in God so you can see Him do amazing things for you. It is also about becoming a conduit of grace where you demonstrate the grace of God in your conduct and character. This is not always easy because we, as humans, have emotions, and there will be moments where our humanity gets in the way. When it does, be quick to repent, fall back into God’s grace, and continue on with your mission to fulfill God’s purpose.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I choose to maintain my integrity, regardless of how others treat me.
I commit to letting my actions be guided by faith rather than by emotions or circumstances.
Your grace empowers me to confront injustice with both courage and respect.
I trust in Your perfect justice and timing, resisting the urge for personal vengeance.
You give me the strength to stand firm in my values, even in the face of persecution.
I surrender my grievances to You, knowing You are my ultimate advocate and defender.
Your wisdom guides me in addressing conflicts with truth and understanding.
I choose to extend mercy and grace, even to those who have wronged me.
My consistency in character becomes a powerful testimony of Your work in my life.
I declare that GREATER IS COMING as I align my actions with Your heart and Your Word.
I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it, and prosper!
