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. This is based on 2 Samuel 6:12-23.
I told you yesterday that once Uzzah died because he touched the Ark of the Covenant, David was afraid of taking it any further, so he left the Ark in the house of Obed-edom of Gath, nearby where they were when the event happened. The Ark remained there for three months, and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and his entire household. King David was told, “The LORD has blessed Obed-edom’s household and everything he has because of the Ark of God.” David knew The Blessing of the Lord was on Obed-edom’s house because the presence of the Lord was there. David wanted that presence and The Blessing associated with it to be with him. So, he decided the risk was worth the reward. He got another team ready to move the Ark and transported it to the City of David.
David made sure that the arrival of the Ark of the Covenant in the City of David was met with great fanfare. The King put on a great celebration, and when the Ark arrived in the city, David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly garment (an ephod). David had worn the ephod before when he needed to hear from God, but this time, he was wearing it to thank God for allowing them to bring His presence into the city. The people shouted for joy, and many were blowing rams’ horns.
While the celebration was going on in the streets, Michal, the wife of David and daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she was filled with contempt for him. The carrier set the Ark of the Covenant inside the special tent David had prepared for it. David sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD. When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. Although David was a King, he also operated under the same grace as a priest, which is why he often wore the ephod and sought the Lord directly. In this case, David used his priestly anointing to bless the people. This was not something a King would normally do.
When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the King of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!” David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the LORD, so I celebrate before the LORD. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes!” Another translation says that David said, “I am willing to become even more undignified than this!” After this incident, Michal, Saul’s daughter, remained childless throughout her entire life.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. True Praise Flows from a Grateful Heart.
Praise becomes a natural response when you understand what God has done for you. David was overwhelmed with gratitude that God allowed him to bring the Ark into Jerusalem. His dancing wasn’t planned or choreographed – it was a spontaneous expression of joy and thanksgiving.
How this applies to you:
— Let your praise flow from a place of genuine gratitude, not religious obligation.
— Remember that God looks at the heart behind the praise, not the outward expression.
— Don’t let your position, status, or title keep you from expressing authentic praise.
— Allow yourself to be overwhelmed by God’s goodness in your life.
— Make praise a natural response to God’s presence, not a performance for others. It’s not about them. It’s ALL ABOUT HIM!
2. Authentic Worship Often Attracts Criticism.
David’s wife, Michal, was more concerned with appearances and etiquette than authentic worship. Her criticism stemmed from pride and a misunderstanding of true worship. When we worship God authentically, we may face criticism from those who don’t know God, those who don’t understand the value of worship, and especially those who don’t understand what we have been through. Unless you know what I have been through, you won’t understand my praise.
How this applies to you:
— Accept that genuine praise may make religious people uncomfortable.
— Don’t let the fear of criticism stop you from expressing your love for God.
— Remember that people’s opinions are temporary, but God’s approval is eternal.
— Understand that critics often speak from their spiritual limitations, which are based on religious practices and not an intimate relationship with God.
— Choose to please God rather than conform to others’ expectations.
— Understand that religious pride is more concerned with appearance than authenticity.
— Recognize that critics often speak from a place of religious tradition rather than spiritual freedom.
3. Your Praise is Between You and God.
David wasn’t dancing for the people – he was dancing before the Lord. He wasn’t concerned with who was watching or what they thought. His focus was entirely on expressing his joy and gratitude to God.
How this applies to you:
— I love to worship. When I am worshipping, it’s like I get transported from wherever I am (physically), and I see and sense myself in the presence of the Lord. At that point, I may be stretched out with my face to the floor, rolling around on the floor, or crying uncontrollably, but one thing I am certainly NOT doing at that moment is thinking about people or what they may be thinking about my worship.
— Keep your focus on God when you worship, not on those around you.
— Release yourself from the fear of looking foolish in others’ eyes.
— Remember that true worship often requires sacrificing your pride.
— Let your praise be authentic, even if it makes others uncomfortable.
— Understand that God values sincere praise over polished performance.
— Don’t let religious protocol restrict your spiritual expression.
— Choose spiritual authenticity over religious appearance.
4. Undignified Praise Precedes Uncommon Blessing.
David’s willingness to become even more undignified positioned him for greater blessing. When we humble ourselves in praise, God exalts us in His timing. Our transparency in worship opens the door for God’s supernatural favor.
How this applies to you:
— Embrace the freedom to express your praise without reservation.
— Trust that God honors those who honor Him, regardless of how it looks to others.
— Know that authentic praise often precedes breakthrough.
— Remember that God rewards those who worship Him in spirit and in truth.
— Humility in worship positions you for elevation in life.
— If you are not willing to worship God while you are on your knees, God won’t be willing to exalt you while you are on your feet.
5. Breaking Free from the Prison of Dignity.
True worship often requires us to break free from self-imposed restraints and societal expectations of “dignified behavior.” When we allow our position, status, or others’ opinions to dictate how we express our praise, we limit our worship and restrict our spiritual freedom.
How this applies to you:
— Recognize that maintaining your “dignity” in worship often stems from pride, not reverence.
— Understand that your position in society should not limit your expression in God’s presence.
— Be careful. If your title is keeping you from praising God, then God may have to remove the title because He is more interested in your praise than your promotion.
— Remember that David, though a king, chose God’s approval over maintaining royal decorum.
— Accept that complete surrender in worship often means letting go of your public image.
— When we are getting ready for church, while we may “dress up,” a conversation Isabella and I often have is, “Hey, how do I look? You look great. Okay, thanks. But I need to make sure I can praise and worship God in this.” The point is that some people are more concerned with their clothes, their makeup, or their public perception than worshipping the God who made them and who has done everything for them. Don’t let this be you!
— Like David, you must be willing to become undignified, unrestrained, uncontrolled, uninhibited, and unbound in worship! Worrying about or even caring what others think of you as you praise will keep you from receiving the fullness of everything God has for you.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I thank You for liberating me from the prison of religious dignity and pride.
I declare that no position, title, or status will prevent me from expressing my complete adoration for You.
My worship breaks free from every self-imposed restraint and man-made expectation.
I choose to praise You with reckless abandon, completely surrendered to Your presence.
I release myself from the fear of criticism and embrace the freedom to worship You without limits.
I don’t let my clothes, makeup, or the concern of other people keep me from praising You with my whole heart!
My praise flows from a heart of genuine gratitude, unhindered by religious protocol or tradition.
I refuse to let my public image or others’ opinions dictate how I express my love for You.
Like David, I am willing to become even more undignified in my pursuit of Your presence.
I declare that my complete surrender in worship positions me for Your supernatural favor.
Your approval means more to me than any earthly dignity or human acceptance.
This is why I can boldly declare: GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it, and prosper!
