This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”. We have been looking at a passage in 2 Corinthians 5 for over a month and focusing on the following statement for days: “When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new!” (2 Cor 5:17). It is true that the moment you give your life to Christ everything is new in the spirit-realm. But for you to experience that newness in the natural realm you must develop the focus and character required to handle the weight of the glory associated with your divine assignment. Understanding that, yesterday we took a look at the life of David and all he endured in order to become the man God called him to be. He was anointed to be king at the tender age of 17. But the calling of God on your life does not exonerate you from the preparation required to fulfill it. David endured 13 long years of challenges before he was able to take the throne. We learned a few things about rejection and Godly endurance in yesterday’s message. Today’s message will flow in the same vein.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Private success precedes public promotion.
a) God will ensure you are tested in private before you are ever put on public display.
b) David killed a lion and a bear with his bare hands, without any crowds present, well before he killed a giant before a national audience.
2. You have to get to the point where your total trust and confidence is in God and not man.
a) God has to deliver you from people before He can send you to people.
b) God calls you to serve people, but you can’t be dependent on those He calls you to reach. If you put your confidence in those you are attempting to minister to, you won’t have the confidence to say or do what God leads you to say and do. But if you keep your confidence in God, you can be a blessing to men.
3. Not only must your trust and confidence NOT be in others, it can’t even be in yourself.
a) God does not want you to depend on your human ability for anything. In whatever moment you are relying on your humanity, divinity is blocked from fully flowing.
b) The Bible says, “Bad things will happen to those who put their trust in people. Bad things will happen to those who depend on human strength. That is because they have stopped trusting the Lord.” (Jer 17:5).
4. When your confidence is in God and not man or even yourself, you will be able to handle rejection.
a) David was rejected by his own family, his national leadership (Saul), his own men, and even his enemies. But since he kept his confidence in the Lord his God, he was able to overcome every challenge and endure until he got in position to fulfill his life’s purpose. Will you endure long enough to become the man/woman God has called you to be?
b) You cannot become a messenger of God’s Gospel if you can’t handle rejection. People will reject you, because they are rejecting God, and you must be able to handle the rejection and keep going.
5. Your heart will be tested.
a) Since David endured affliction and rejection, when the time came, he was ready to be king.
b) Godly promotion only comes after God tests the condition of your heart.
Quick testimony: When teaching (or learning) about something like this, you have to prepare your heart to be tested. Several things happened to me yesterday, where people “rubbed me the wrong way”. I got irritated and almost frustrated. But this morning the Holy Spirit reminded me of what I have been teaching and he made it clear that my heart was being tested. In God you must past today’s tests in order to become tomorrow’s blessing. Remember that the next time someone does something you don’t like.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus in 2016. I know You have called me to greatness. I also know that I must be prepared for my assignment. So I endure all I need to endure in order to become the person You called me to be. Along the way I may be rejected or even disrespected by people, but my confidence is not in man. I may even let myself down, but my confidence is not in me. My confidence is in You and You alone. Come what may, my eyes are fixed and focused on You. And I refuse to lose my focus. My heart will be tested, but I will pass every test as long as I keep my eyes on You, so I can remain connected to Your grace. And lastly Father, because I have learned to handle rejection and disappointment, You can now trust me to carry the weight of the glory! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
