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 16-26; 11 chapters)
As we continue studying David’s life up to 1 Samuel 26, we discover another powerful sign that you are walking in divine purpose: your life becomes about something bigger than yourself. David is no longer just surviving; he’s leading 600 troubled men, defending cities like Keilah while being hunted, and maintaining his integrity with Saul for God’s larger purpose. Even in his darkest moments, David understood what many miss – divine purpose is never just about you; it’s about God’s bigger plan to impact others through you. When you live your life for God and the plans He made for you before the world began, your life will be about a greater purpose and not selfish desires.
So, what does this mean for you today? A few things:
1. Purpose Shifts Your Focus From Survival to Service.
When David fled to the cave of Adullam, God sent him 400 distressed, indebted, and discontented men (1 Samuel 22:2). Later, God sent 200 more. Instead of focusing on his own survival, David took responsibility for these troubled souls. While hiding from Saul, he still responded to Keilah’s cry for help (1 Samuel 23:1-5). When you’re truly walking in purpose, your life becomes about serving others, even in your own wilderness.
How this applies to you:
— When you know your purpose, like David, you recognize that your trials are actually training grounds that prepare you for God’s assignment. You live with an awareness of the “NOW,” while fully cognizant that God is preparing you for your “NEXT.”
— You can give without loving, but you cannot love with giving. And since God is love, when you live your life for God, you wind up GIVING YOURSELF AWAY to help others.
— If you think God has to wait until you are done being processed to be used, then you will never be used. God will send you people to serve even while you’re going through.
— Your assignment is always bigger than your personal survival.
— God positions you to help others in their distress, even while you are facing your own personal battles.
— When you walk with God, your purpose will connect you to people who need what you carry.
— The timing of this message is good because Isabella and I are headed to the Dominican Republic today to serve those God assigned to us. This does not mean we don’t have things we need to work on or challenges we are facing, but God does not wait until your life is challenge-free before He uses you.
2. Purpose Changes Your Priorities.
Look at David’s decision-making process at Keilah. Before taking action, he inquired of the Lord twice (1 Samuel 23:2,4). Even while being hunted, his priority wasn’t survival; it was seeking God’s direction. Then, after saving Keilah, he inquired of the Lord again about staying or leaving (1 Samuel 23:9-12). When you’re walking in purpose, your priorities align with God’s heart. All you want is what God wants for you!
How this applies to you:
— When you walk with God, then like David, you will put God’s guidance above your personal safety and desires.
— Walking with God means your decisions are guided by prayer, not just pressure.
— Purpose-driven people prioritize God’s will over personal comfort.
— Your greatest priority becomes hearing and obeying God.
— Your only desire in life is to do what God wants you to do.
— WARNING: When you live this way, you may wind up busier than you have ever been, working harder than you ever have, but it won’t be for selfish desires. It will be because you are doing what God is leading you to do, And the good news is that God’s grace will be on you to do it, so your body won’t break down, you won’t be stressed out, you will sleep well at night, and you will feel a sense of purpose that makes your life fulfilling.
3. Purpose Makes You God-Conscious and People-Conscious.
Divine purpose keeps you focused on both your vertical relationship with God and your horizontal relationships with people. Even while evading Saul, David maintained his connection with God through worship and prayer, while also taking time to protect shepherds’ flocks from raiders (1 Samuel 25:15-16). His men were “a wall” to Nabal’s shepherds. Divine purpose always has both a God component and a people component, even when you’re going through personal trials.
How this applies to you:
— Like David, as you walk with God, you will maintain communion with Him while serving others, even in difficult seasons.
— Your challenges don’t excuse you from being a blessing or from seeking God’s face.
— Your purpose will always involve both worship of God and ministry to others, vertical and horizontal.
— God’s grace flows through you to others when you stay connected to God.
— Your trials don’t negate your assignment to God or others; they enhance both relationships because you will prove to God and yourself that you are willing to minister to others, if necessary, while bleeding yourself.
4. Purpose Creates Legacy Through Others.
David’s impact wasn’t just personal; he was developing mighty men. The 600 troubled souls who came to him became valiant warriors. When you’re walking in divine purpose, your life creates a legacy by developing others. Even Saul’s son Jonathan recognized this, acknowledging David would be king (1 Samuel 23:17).
How this applies to you:
— Like David, you’re called to develop others even while developing yourself.
— What God does through you impacts those connected to you.
— Your faithfulness today creates greatness in others tomorrow.
— Purpose-driven people leave a legacy through those they lead.
— Your obedience creates opportunities for others to grow.
— Your life should impact the lives of those God assigns you to, and the legacy created will outlive you!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I thank You for giving me a purpose bigger than myself.
I choose to serve others even in my wilderness seasons.
My life is focused on Your priorities, not just personal comfort.
I put Your guidance before my convenience.
I think beyond my survival to serving Your people.
My breakthrough becomes a breakthrough for many others.
I live to develop greatness in those You send to me.
My life makes an eternal impact through those I serve.
GREATER IS COMING because I am fulfilling Your bigger purpose!
I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it, and prosper!
