READ: 1 SAMUEL 17:32-51
David shouted in reply, “You came to me with sword, spear and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled. (V. 45)
The end of our week-long escape from the rigors of the classroom for firearms training and qualification was marked by a night shooting exercise. Our instructors designed a police combat course testing our decision-making ability in low light situations. The drill required extreme concentration and target focus as we made the decision to shoot or withhold fire. Guided by my instructor, I made my way through the course using my flashlight and firing and reloading as I deemed appropriate to each presented scenario. At the end of the course, my instructor complimented me for the quality and placement of my shots while informing me that I had made one horrible mistake. I put three shots right into the heart of the “Pepsi Man” when I saw him raise a soda can to put into a vending machine. Thank heaven it was only a cardboard silhouette!
Fifteen years later, when I became the Vice Squad Sergeant, my squad and I would target those we suspected of committing crimes such as gambling and sex trafficking. We would target those individuals or organizations using various investigative techniques such as surveillance; working with informants; undercover infiltration; search warrants and sometimes wire taps. Our goal was to work our way from the outer rings of the target until we had enough evidence to support an arrest and eventually score a bullseye with a conviction. We used great caution throughout the investigation to make sure we focused and led by the facts that emerged and not bending them to fit our preconceived conclusions surrounding the case. To have done so would create a miscarriage of justice that would violate the laws of the land and all the basic tenants of police ethics—we were not dealing with paper targets!
David, as he walked out to meet Goliath had to remain intensely focused on this “Giant of a Man.” Getting too close would mean instant death. Not getting close enough would render his sling harmless. But more importantly, he had to stay focused on his right relationship with God, for it was the living God that enabled him to slay Goliath and eventually become Israel’s greatest king. David scored a bull’s eye on two targets that changed his life forever—how is your aim?
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
What is the target focus of your life? Most of us focus on multiple targets at one time such as happiness; security; well-being; and contentment. However, the key to hitting these targets in the right place and at the right time is found upon fixing our primary target focus on living in a right relationship with God through our Lord Jesus. Acceptance, obedience, prayer, scripture reading, confession, communion, attending church and serving others are the outer rings of our spiritual target. Hit them faithfully and you will experience the bull’s eye of salvation.
Dear Jesus, help me to sharpen my focus on you at every stage and juncture of my life.