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 21:7-14)
Yesterday, we saw how David was so hungry that he was willing to lie to the priest in order to get something to eat. David wound up eating the holy bread (showbread) from the altar of the Lord. This goes to show you that David was not perfect and that people on the run, under tremendous pressure, will do just about anything. We will see David take it to another level today.
David lied to the priest so he could get some food, and he lied again so he could get a weapon. David asked Ahimelech if he had a spear or sword because (here comes another lie) he said, “The king’s business was so urgent that I didn’t even have time to grab a weapon.” The priest replied, “I only have the sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah. It is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. Take it if you want it, for there is nothing else here.” David knew that sword well and used it to cut the giant’s head off. David said, “There is nothing like it! Give it to me!” With that, David took off on the run again, this time to the land of Gath.
The officers of King Achish of Gath were not happy that David was in town. They asked themselves, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Isn’t he the one the people honor with dances, singing, ‘Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?” They were not sure if David was the King of Israel or not, but either way, they did not take kindly to a foreign leader visiting unannounced. David heard what the people were saying, and he was terrified of what King Achish might do to him. David already had problems with the King of Israel, and now he was about to have issues with the King of Gath.
I would love to tell you that David was fearless, or that he prayed and God told him what to do, or that angels protected him. But none of that happened. David was afraid that the king’s men would come and capture or kill him, so he pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and allowing saliva to drool down his beard. Wow. What a tactic! It works. David was taken to stand before the king, and King Achish said to his men, “Must you bring me a madman? We already have enough of them around here! Why should I let someone like this be my guest?” They let him go, and sure enough, David was on the run again before anyone knew it.
We will stop here for today.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. God Uses Imperfect People for His Perfect Plans.
God used David to lead Israel and write Psalms. God Himself called David “a man after His own heart” (Acts 13:22). That picture of David seems far from the one we see in 1 Samuel 21, a man acting like he was crazy, scratching doors and allowing saliva to run down his beard, all because he was afraid of the King of Gath. This a reminder of two things: 1) God does not require you to be perfect, and 2) God will be kind when mentioning you in history.
How this applies to you:
— Remember that God’s call on your life isn’t based on your perfection.
— God’s grace is sufficient even in our weaknesses, and He can use us despite our imperfections.
— Embrace God’s grace when you fall short of your own expectations.
— Allow your mistakes to humble you and draw you closer to God.
— Recognize that God’s power is made perfect in your weakness.
— Be encouraged that God can use you powerfully, even with your faults, flaws, and failures.
— When we talk to people about our children, we conveniently overlook their flaws and describe them in the best light. In the same way, God will make sure that history is kind to you as it has been to David.
— The New Testament does not call David a liar, murderer, adulterer, or crazy man. It calls David a man after God’s own heart. Even that is an act of God’s unearned grace!
— Thank God that His perfect plans take for imperfect people.
2. Divine Destiny Often Involves Difficult Detours.
The prophet had already anointed David to be the next king of Israel, and instead of his life getting better, his life went haywire after the prophet touched his head with oil. I see two points in this: 1) The fact that you are facing challenges does not mean you are NOT destined for greatness, and 2) The fact that you are destined for greatness does NOT mean that you are exonerated from challenges. Often, the greater the assignment on your life, the harder the enemy will work to keep you from it.
How this applies to you:
— God’s calling on our lives doesn’t guarantee an easy.
— Often, the road to our destiny is paved with challenges that shape our character and prepare us for the responsibilities ahead.
— Understand that difficulties don’t negate God’s promises for your life.
— View challenges as opportunities for growth and character development.
— Trust God’s process, even when the path seems unclear or difficult.
— Recognize that detours in your journey may be divine appointments.
— Sometimes, the detours we face are self-inflicted wounds, but even then, we have to remember that God knew what we would do before we did it, and He took that into account when He called us!
— God is sovereign, His plans were based on His foreknowledge of our decisions and actions, and His grace is sufficient!
3. Persistence Through Trials Leads to the Fulfillment of Promises.
David had to make it through all the challenges in order to eventually take the throne. I would like to tell you that once you give your life to Christ, you will never face another challenge, but if I did, I would be lying. However, I can tell you that your blessing awaits you on the other side of the storm. David is a witness to this, and so am I. Just remember, since you are an OVERCOMER, God’s grace is on you to COME OVER every obstacle that comes your way.
How this applies to you:
— Despite the hardships David faced, he persevered. His experiences in hiding, his time among enemies, and his struggles all shaped him into the leader he would become.
— David’s persistence eventually led to the fulfillment of God’s promise – David became king. What happened for David will happen for you if you don’t give up.
— It is our persistence through trials that positions us to receive the promises God has for us.
— Keep your eyes fixed on God’s promises, even when circumstances seem dire or daunting.
— Use times of trial to deepen your faith and reliance on God.
— Remember that your current struggles are preparing you for future blessings.
— Encourage yourself with testimonies of those who persevered and saw God’s faithfulness.
— Persistency is the key to walking with God. Never give up!
4. God’s Protection Prevails Even in Our Panic.
In Gath, we see David resorting to extreme measures for self-preservation. Yet, God was still protecting him even in David’s moment of panic and pretense. This reminds us that God’s care for us isn’t dependent on our perfect behavior or unwavering faith. Even when we act out of fear or desperation, God’s protective hand remains upon us.
How this applies to you:
— Trust in God’s protection, even when you feel you’ve made a mess of things. We have all been there.
— Remember that God’s love and care for you are constant, regardless of your actions.
— Allow the knowledge of God’s unfailing protection to calm your fears.
— Learn to recognize God’s hand guiding you, even in unlikely circumstances.
— Take comfort in knowing that God can turn your moments of panic into testimonies of His faithfulness.
In my message this past Sunday, I mentioned this verse:
Psalm 62:5 ERV
I must calm down and turn to God; he is my only hope.
This psalm was actually written by David. On Sunday, I used it to make a point about entering into God’s rest. I will close with this point today because I believe it lines up perfectly to support the point I am making here.
— In moments of fear, pressure, or even panic, it is good to remind ourselves that God is still there, He still cares, His promises are still good, and His love never fails.
— When we remind ourselves of God’s commitment to us, we can do what David said, “calm down.”
— Entering into God’s rest is about resting in God’s plans for our lives, which is His finished work.
— David lied to a priest, slept with another man’s wife, then had the man killed, and he made a litany of mistakes. But in the end, David became the King of Israel. Not because He was perfect but because God’s love and commitment to him were. Enter into this weekend reminding yourself of this so you can ENTER INTO GOD’S REST!
— CALM DOWN! God’s got you!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I thank You for using me, even in my moments of imperfection, to fulfill Your perfect plans.
I embrace Your grace, knowing it’s sufficient even in my weaknesses and failures.
I trust that the challenges I face are shaping my character for the calling You’ve placed on my life.
I commit to persevering through trials, confident that they are preparing me for the promises ahead.
I choose to view every obstacle as an opportunity for growth and a testimony of Your faithfulness.
I rest in the knowledge of Your constant protection, even in moments when my faith wavers.
I calm my heart and turn to You, knowing You are my only hope in times of panic or fear.
I enter into Your rest, confident in Your unfailing love and commitment to me.
GREATER IS COMING FOR ME as I align myself with Your purpose and trust in Your perfect timing.
I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!????????????????
