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 21:1-6)
The 21st chapter opens up with David on the run. The last time we saw David, he said goodbye to Jonathan and prepared never to see him again. Jonathan had just been attacked by his father, having to dodge a spear because of his alliance with David. David escaped into the night, and in this chapter, he appears in the town of Nob. As soon as he got there, he went to see Ahimelech, the Priest. David was tired and hungry.
The Priest trembled when he saw David. “Why are you alone?” Ahimelech asked. “Why is no one with you?” David lied, saying, “The king has sent me on a private matter. He told me not to tell anyone why I am here. I have told my men where to meet me later. Now, what is there to eat? Give me five loaves of bread or anything else you have.” The problem with David’s request was that it was the Sabbath. The Priest could not cook anything that was not already cooked, and the only bread he had available was hallowed bread, known as “showbread” which sat on a special table. The table of showbread was a small table made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold. It stood on the right side of the Holy Place (inside the temple) across from the lampstand and held 12 loaves of bread, representing the 12 tribes of Israel. The priests baked the bread with refined flour, which remained on the table before the Lord for a week; every Sabbath day, the priests would remove it, eat it in the Holy Place, and then put fresh bread on the table. Only priests could eat the bread, which could only be eaten in the Holy Place because it was holy. Ahimelech and his priests had just eaten the showbread from the previous week and had just placed the new bread on the table for the upcoming week. To take the shewbread off of the table before time was a severe offense, and anyone except a priest who ate the showbread at the proper time violated the Judaic Law (see Lev 22:9-16).
Since no other food was available, the Priest gave David the holy bread. David ate of it and later gave the rest to his men. In the New Testament, Jesus mentions this situation when He and His disciples are accused of working and eating on the Sabbath. Jesus said, “Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He went into the house of God and broke the Law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions. The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” (see Mark 2:23-28). We will stop here for today.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. God uses flawed people by grace.
David lied on several occasions, and he even lied to a priest, but God continued to protect him for his own purposes. This is not to condone sin, but it is to keep you from condemnation.
God’s unwavering commitment to His purpose shines through even when His chosen vessels make mistakes or even flat-out sin. This is a reminder that our imperfections don’t negate God’s calling on our lives because He called us by grace, not merit.
How this applies to you:
— You will make mistakes because you are not perfect. You will also sin. John made it clear that if you claim to be without sin, you are a liar and the truth is not in you (1 John 1:8). So, what you can and should do is embrace God’s grace in your moments of weakness.
— The more you meditate on the grace of God, the more you will recognize that God’s plans for you supersede your mistakes.
— Paul taught us that where sin abounds, God’s grace abounds even more (Romans 5:20). This means that God’s grace covers our sin, and once we are Born-Again, no amount of sin can overtake God’s grace. This also means that God’s grace is always greater than our failures, providing hope and restoration even at our lowest points.????????????????
— Not only does God’s grace cover your flaws, but it will empower you to overcome them.
— Trust in God’s faithfulness even when you fall short.
2. God is more interested in a relationship with you than He is in religion.
The Priest broke the Law by giving David and his men the holy bread, but he did it because they were hungry. In the New Testament, Jesus mentioned this story when He encountered people who were more interested in laws, rituals, rites, and routines than they were in human beings who needed help. This underscores the principle that meeting human needs takes precedence over strict observance of religious customs.
How this applies to you:
— Prioritize genuine relationships with God and others over religious formalities.
— Seek to understand the spirit of God’s laws rather than just the letter. In other words, if you know why you are doing what you are doing, you will prioritize that over the ritual itself.
— Some people are so religious and dogmatic that they will fail to do the “work of the church” because they claim that they need to do the “work of the church” (I hope you get it).
— Be willing to step outside religious comfort zones to serve others. Don’t allow differences of beliefs or religious practices to keep you from being a blessing to someone.
— I don’t care if you are Catholic, Charismatic, Anglican, Baptist, Holiness, Pentecostal, Church of God, Church of Christ, or Church of God in Christ; if you are a Christian, you are my brother. Period! Further, if you are a Muslim, Hindu, or Atheist, and you need help, we are here to help. Don’t let religion to cause hinder you from being led by the Holy Spirit.
— Evaluate your religious practices in light of their impact on your relationship with God.
— Strive to balance reverence for sacred things with compassion for human needs.
3. God will go to great lengths to help you fulfill your purpose.
Thus far in David’s story, we have seen God use Saul, Jonathan, Michal, and now Ahimelech to help David, even when they are not sure why they are doing it. The grace of God on your life will open doors for you that no man can close, and people will help you even when they don’t know why they are doing it.
How this applies to you:
— Recognize God’s hand (especially His favor) in seemingly chance encounters and circumstances.
— Trust that God can use anyone, even unlikely sources, to bless and help you in your journey.
— Remain open to divine appointments and unexpected help along your path.
— Acknowledge the grace operating in your life that opens doors and creates opportunities.
— Cultivate gratitude for the ways God providentially arranges support for your purpose.
— Enter every day with an awareness of God’s grace and favor.
— Realize that God wants to bless you because He is good, not because you are.
— Realize that God wants to bless you because He wants you to fulfill His plans for your life.
— Realize that God is more committed to you and to the plans that He made for you before the world began than your ability to perform or comply with rites, rules, or rituals. This is why His relationship with you is more important than religious practices.
4. The importance of discernment in times of crisis.
David’s encounter with Ahimelech highlights the importance of spiritual discernment during challenging times. While David’s deception is not ideal, his ability to navigate a dangerous situation and secure necessary provisions demonstrates the crucial role of wisdom and quick thinking in crisis moments.
How this applies to you:
— Develop spiritual discernment to navigate complex situations.
— Seek God’s wisdom when making decisions under pressure.
— Learn to trust your God-given instincts in times of crisis.
— Reflect on difficult experiences to grow in discernment and faith.
— Know that when the pressure is on, if you learn to rest, the Holy Spirit will lead you concerning what to do.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I thank You for Your abundant grace that covers my flaws and empowers me for Your purpose.
I embrace the priority of a relationship with You over empty religious rituals, seeking to honor You in spirit and in truth.
I trust in Your divine orchestration, knowing that You are working all things together for my good and Your glory.
I receive Your wisdom and discernment to navigate life’s challenges with faith and integrity.
Your grace opens doors that no one can close, and I walk through them with confidence in Your leading.
No weapon formed against me shall prosper, for You are my shield and my exceeding great reward.
I run my race with patient endurance, focused on the purpose You’ve set before me.
I have a genuine relationship with You, and I break free from the bondage of religion.
GREATER IS COMING FOR ME as I align myself with Your heart and Your ways.????????????????
I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!????????????????
