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 23:1-12)
While David was in Judah, he received word that the Philistines were at Keilah stealing grain from the threshing floors and basically terrorizing the Israelites there. David had a long track record of fighting the Philistines in support of Israel, so David inquired of the Lord about it. He asked God, “Should I go and attack them?” Obviously, this time on the run forced David to build a heavy dependency on the Lord. He did not want to do anything without the Lord’s guidance. The Lord said, “Yes, go and save Keilah.” But David’s men said, “We’re afraid even here in Judah. We certainly don’t want to go to Keilah to fight the whole Philistine army!” So what did David do next? He had instructions from God, but his men were afraid. So, he went back and asked the Lord again, and the Lord replied, “Go down to Keilah, for I will help you conquer the Philistines.”
Whenever you have a situation where God is telling you one thing, but your team is thinking something else, then you, as a leader, have to convince your team because God will not change His mind. Sure enough, David convinced his men to get over their fear, and they took off to Keilah. With the Lord’s help, David and his men destroyed the Philistines, took all their livestock, and rescued the people of Keilah.
Saul quickly learned that David was at Keilah. Saul was excited and said, “We’ve got him now! God has handed him over to me, for he has trapped himself in a walled town!” Look at the contrast. David knew God was with him, but he still asked God what he should do first because he was humble and submitted to God. On the other hand, Saul no longer had God with him, but he was seemingly delusional. He thought God was still doing things for him, and he took off without even asking God.
There are some lessons we can learn here. David was destined and anointed to be the king, but he was waiting for God to make a way for him to take the throne. Saul was in the position, but he had already been fired and had not even realized it. Why didn’t he know it? Because he had no direct relationship with God. Saul relied on priests and prophets. David appreciated the priests and prophets, but he sought the Lord for himself.
Saul mobilized his entire army to march to Keilah and surround David and his men. David learned of Saul’s plan and told Abiathar the priest (the only one left) to bring the ephod (a priestly robe) to him so he could ask the LORD what to do. Then David prayed, “O LORD, God of Israel, I have heard that Saul is planning to come and destroy Keilah because I am here. Will the leaders of Keilah betray me to him? And will Saul actually come as I have heard? O LORD, God of Israel, please tell me.” And the LORD said, “He will come.” Again David asked, “Will the leaders of Keilah betray me and my men to Saul?” And the LORD replied, “Yes, they will betray you.” Wow! David risked his life to save the people of Keilah, and they were still going to betray him and send him to Saul. Excuse the common vernacular, but folk will do you like that. Thankfully, God is faithful, and He will never let us down.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. We Must Cultivate a Direct and Intimate Relationship with God.
While David was all alone in the fields, facing the dangers of wolves, lions, and bears, he had to learn to depend on God for himself. When David was in the cave, at rock bottom, on the run, tired and hungry, he once again had to learn to rely on God directly. David did not have a priest or a prophet he could depend on to hear from God, so he talked to God for himself. David’s direct relationship with God and his ability to talk to God for himself proved critical at countless moments in his life, which will prove vital for you. While you should appreciate your Pastor and the other spiritual mentors the Father has blessed you with, you MUST learn to hear from God for yourself. You MUST develop a personal and intimate relationship with the Father because it is this relationship that will see you through the complex challenges when they come… for they will come!
How this applies to you:
— As believers, we must prioritize our personal relationship with God, learning to hear His voice and trust His leading, especially when facing life’s challenges.
— Dedicate daily time to personal prayer and Bible study.
— Practice listening for God’s voice in moments of quiet reflection.
— Seek God’s guidance directly before making important decisions.
— Cultivate a habit of continuous dialogue with God throughout your day.
— Share your deepest fears and greatest joys with God, fostering intimacy.
— Learn to rely on God’s guidance, especially when human relationships prove unreliable.
2. God is Faithful, Even When People Are Not.
The potential betrayal by the people of Keilah, whom David had just saved, spotlights the unreliability of human loyalty. However, it also highlights God’s constant faithfulness. While people may disappoint or betray us, even after we’ve helped them, God remains steadfast. God’s loyalty (His dedication to us) isn’t based on our performance or others’ opinions, but on His unchanging character and love for us.
How this applies to you:
— Place your ultimate trust in God, not in people or circumstances.
— Some folk are fickle, phony, fragile, or flat-out fake, but God is always faithful.
— When others let you down, remember God’s faithfulness remains constant.
— When you are disappointed by people, don’t waste that moment. Use it has the impetus to drive you closer to God rather than away from Him.
— Extend grace to others who fail you, recognizing your own need for God’s grace.
— Build your life on the solid foundation of God’s faithfulness, not human approval.
3. Embrace God’s Will, Even in the Middle of Opposition.
David’s obedience to God in saving Keilah illustrates that being in the center of God’s will doesn’t guarantee a trouble-free life. Despite following divine instructions, David faced threats from Saul and potential betrayal from those he had just rescued. This teaches us that opposition or challenges don’t necessarily indicate we’ve strayed from God’s will. Often, the greatest resistance comes when we are precisely where God wants us to be, doing exactly what He’s called us to do.
How this applies to you:
— Recognize that difficulties may be refining your faith. See it has processing, not punishment. What David went through during his 13 years on the run was necessary to prepare him to become the King of Judah (initially) and ultimately the King of Israel.
— Stay committed to God’s calling, even when your anointing seems to attract opposition.
— I have told you before that the greater the calling, the longer the preparation and the stronger the opposition.
— While you are facing challenges, make sure you use this time to deepen your trust in God’s plan.
— Seek God’s perspective on your trials rather than immediately trying to escape them. David inquired of the Lord. We must do the same.
— Remember that God’s presence is constant, regardless of your circumstances. God is always with us.
— Understand that following God’s will may sometimes lead to misunderstanding or betrayal from others.
4. Seek Divine Wisdom in Every Situation.
David’s repeated inquiries to God about the situation in Keilah demonstrate the importance of seeking divine wisdom continually. You must hear and then continually hear from God. I will use Abraham as an example. He heard from God to take his son up to a mountain to sacrifice the boy. He knew he heard from God, so he was willing to do it. But when he lifted up the knife to kill his son Isaac, the Lord spoke again and told him to stop. Sure, he heard from God the first time, but if he had not heard from God the second time, he would have killed his son.
David heard from God about helping the people of Keilah. But then he heard from God again when God told him that the people of Keilah were going to betray him. This teaches us the value of maintaining an ongoing dialogue with God, constantly aligning our actions with His will.
How this applies to you:
— Make seeking God’s wisdom your first response in every situation.
— Don’t assume you know God’s will based on past experiences; seek fresh guidance.
— Be open to God’s warnings about potential betrayal or misunderstanding from those you’re helping.
— Be willing to adjust your plans as God reveals new information or direction.
— Cultivate a habit of “checking in” with God throughout your day.
— Trust that God’s wisdom is superior to human understanding and always seek it.
— Ask God for discernment in your relationships, especially when your actions of service might be misunderstood.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I hear Your voice clearly and follow Your guidance confidently.
Your faithfulness is my unshakeable foundation in all circumstances.
I embrace Your perfect will, knowing it leads me to Your highest good.
Your wisdom flows through me in every decision I make.
I stand unwavering in Your purpose, even in the face of opposition.
Your grace empowers me to forgive freely and love unconditionally, even when people betray me.
I thrive in challenges, growing stronger in faith with each trial.
Your presence fills me with peace and power in every situation.
I declare victory over betrayal, disappointment, and every attack.
GREATER IS COMING FOR ME as I walk in complete alignment with Your divine plan.
I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!????????????????
