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
(1 Samuel 16:12,13 NIV)
So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
Setting the Stage.
Yesterday, I introduced you to David. What you see today is that God’s calling (like all of ours) is a grace case. I told you how God instructed Samuel to go to Bethlehem, to Jesse’s house, and to anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be Saul’s replacement as the next king of Israel. It is understandable why Samuel initially thought Jesse’s firstborn would be the one. In addition to being a good-looking young man, Hebrew tradition places the greatest blessing on the firstborn son. But God, by His grace, had other plans. God will bypass norms to bless you!
It’s disappointing to me that when Samuel was preparing for the supposed worship, and he asked Jesse to have his boys join him in the ceremonial act of cleansing, Jesse did not think it necessary to send one of the boys to get David. Jesse went through the entire rite with seven of his eight boys, and it seemingly did not bother him that David, the little shepherd boy, was out tending sheep. It also bothers me that not one of the brothers said anything. It’s almost like David was the forgotten son. He was the youngest and was out doing his family duties, but when it seemed like the family had forgotten about David, God certainly did not.
After learning of the eighth and final son, Samuel told Jesse, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” I can picture the awkwardness of the moment. Jesse sent one of his boys to get David, and he and the other six sons waited, not really knowing why the man of God was in their home and what this had to do with David. But when David arrived, it all became clear. The Lord spoke to the prophet, clearly telling Samuel that David was the one He picked, and Samuel then took the horn full of oil (that had been consecrated to the Lord) and anointed David right in front of his father and brothers. It was like the Lord was saying, “You might not have picked him, but I did.” So right there, at that moment, without any explanation of why, without any qualifiers of exceptional performance or service, the Lord selected a teenager to be the next king of Israel in front of a family that did not even ensure he was in the lineup. That, my friends, is grace.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. God’s Grace For Your Calling Can Locate You Anywhere.
God’s grace found David while he was tending sheep, far from the ceremonial gathering. His own family overlooked David, but God saw his heart and chose him. Actually, God chose David before the world began.
How this applies to you:
— God’s grace can find you no matter where you are, even if others overlook you.
— You don’t need to strive for human recognition or to be noticed. If you are faithful, right where you are, God can see to it that your calling locates you.
— Trust that God sees your heart and that He will elevate you in His timing.
— Understand that your value is not determined by human standards but by God’s divine plan. You are not a mistake, and one day, your CALLING will come CALLING!
— Be encouraged that God has not forgotten you, and He will bring you into your purpose at the right time.
— Sometimes, God interrupts your day in the middle of a routine task in order to bless you richly. Not because you necessarily did anything to deserve it, but simply because of His grace and love towards you.
2. God Chooses the Unexpected.
David was the youngest son, a shepherd boy not even considered by his own family. Yet God chose him to be the future king of Israel, showing that God often works through the people who are dismissed by the world. I believe God loves doing this because it showcases His grace.
How this applies to you:
— God’s selection is not based on human standards or expectations, but on His divine purpose.
— Embrace the fact that God can use anyone, regardless of their position or status.
— Trust that God sees potential in you that others may overlook.
— Be open to God’s calling, even if it defies conventional wisdom or societal norms. I cannot tell you how unusual it was for God to select a shepherd boy to replace a sitting king. But God will break the world’s rules to bless you!
— Allow God to work through you in unexpected ways, knowing His plans are higher than ours.
— The oil (blessing) reserved for you will not flow for anyone else. No one can take your blessing. That’s why you don’t need to get upset when others get blessed. They have their blessings, and you have yours.
3. God Has Been Preparing You For Your Calling All Your Life.
David was faithfully tending sheep when he was called to be anointed as king. His commitment to his responsibilities, no matter how small, prepared him for the greater task ahead.
How this applies to you:
— Be diligent and faithful in your current responsibilities, knowing that God is preparing you for more.
— Understand that how you handle small tasks is a reflection of your character and readiness for greater opportunities.
— Trust that God notices your faithfulness, even when others do not. He is watching, even when no one else is watching.
— Embrace your current season with dedication, knowing it is part of God’s preparation for your future.
— Remember that God rewards faithfulness and will promote you in His perfect timing.
— You might be overlooked, omitted, and even oppressed by others, but that does not change the fact that you are destined. You are Destiny’s Child!
4. God’s Anointing Empowers You for Your Calling.
When Samuel anointed David, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him from that day forward. God’s anointing equipped David for the journey ahead, empowering him to fulfill his destiny.
How this applies to you:
— God calls you to do things you simply cannot do without Him or the anointing/grace He has placed on your life.
— Whatever God calls you to do, He equips you to do. And what He equips you to do, He expects you to do!
— God’s instruction is always equal to His injection. This means God will never command you to do something He has not already given you the grace to do.
— I am sure that David never thought (not in 1,000 years) that he would be the King of Israel. But God anointed him with the grace to do it. Likewise, you and I must embrace the anointing and grace to do what God has called us to do.
— Understand that God’s anointing gives you the strength, ability, power, and wisdom to accomplish His will in ways that far exceed your humanity.
— Living #TheGraceLife means that when you are facing seemingly insurmountable challenges on the road to your destiny, you remind yourself that God has graced you with everything you need to succeed. You will come out on top because YOU HAVE GRACE FOR IT!
— While God has called you to do something that far exceeds your education and experience, the good news is that He does not expect you to do it as a mere man. God has given you the grace to do what you are called to do!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, Your grace locates me wherever I am, reminding me that I am never overlooked in Your eyes.
I commit to being faithful over little, knowing that in due season, You will give me charge over much!
Father, I believe that You will elevate me in due time, even in front of those who may have dismissed me.
I trust in Your divine selection, knowing that You choose the unexpected to do the unimaginable.
Your anointing empowers me, providing the strength and ability to fulfill my divine calling.
You have given me the grace to do what I could never do without You!
Your “super” is on my natural, empowering me to experience supernatural insight, wisdom, favor, and divine success.
I enter into this day knowing that MY CALLING IS CALLING ME and I will answer the call!
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!
