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 20:3-15)
Yesterday, we saw how David was at the point of frustration, tired of the constant attacks, and he told Jonathan that he was “only one step ahead of death.” Jonathan wanted to know how he could help. David said, “Tomorrow is the New Moon Festival, and I’m supposed to eat dinner with your father. But instead, I’ll hide in a field until the evening of the next day. If Saul wonders where I am, tell him, “David asked me to let him go to his hometown of Bethlehem, so he could take part in a sacrifice his family makes there every year.” If your father says it’s all right, then I’m safe. But if he gets angry, you’ll know he wants to harm me. Be kind to me. After all, it was your idea to promise the Lord that we would always be loyal friends. If I’ve done anything wrong, kill me yourself, but don’t hand me over to your father.” Wow, David was so frustrated that he was ready to give himself over to Jonathan, to be killed by his friend, willing to accept anything but death by the hand of Saul. This is important to understand because it reveals that David wavered in his faith, as many of us do. David was not standing strong in faith, without wavering, believing God to protect him. No, David was tired, upset, frustrated, and ready to give up. We all get to that point at certain times in our lives but thank God that our lapses in faith do not disqualify us from God’s promises.
Jonathan said, “Don’t worry, if I find out that my father wants to kill you, I’ll certainly let you know.” “How will you do that?” David asked. “Let’s go out to this field, and I’ll tell you,” Jonathan answered. When they got there, Jonathan said: “I swear by the Lord God of Israel, that two days from now I’ll know what my father is planning. Of course I’ll let you know if he’s friendly toward you. But if he wants to harm you, I promise to tell you and help you escape. And I ask the Lord to punish me severely if I don’t keep my promise.” Think about the significance of what was happening. Prince Jonathan was the heir to the throne. It was no secret that David was a threat to taking his place as the next king. But instead of being upset about it, the Lord used Jonathan, the person David would eventually replace, to go out of his way to bless David. And look at the severity of Jonathan’s sincerity. Jonathan pronounced a curse on himself if he did not keep his promise to help David. That was no small act. And then, after being willing to curse himself, Jonathan went on to bless David, saying, “I pray that the Lord will bless you, just as he used to bless my father. Someday the Lord will wipe out all of your enemies. Then if I’m still alive, please be as kind to me as the Lord has been. But if I’m dead, be kind to my family.” Jonathan was conceding the throne, pronouncing a blessing upon David, and then asking for mercy, in advance, from the future king. We will stop here for today.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. A Lapse in Faith Does not Disqualify You from The Promise.
Thankfully, David’s moment of weakness doesn’t negate God’s plan for his life. If God only used perfect people, none of us would qualify.
Despite David’s fear and readiness to give up, God’s promise of kingship remained intact. This serves as a powerful reminder that our occasional lapses in faith do not disqualify us from God’s promises. While our wavering may affect our journey’s duration (meaning that we may cause ourselves delays), God’s grace covers our imperfections, ensuring His will prevails in the end.
How this applies to you:
— Your momentary doubts don’t cancel God’s long-term plans for you.
— God’s promises are based on His faithfulness, not your perfection.
— God’s commitment to His plans for your life are greater than your ability to perform flawlessly. In other words, His plans are greater than your performance (thankfully).
— Use moments of weakness to lean harder into God’s strength.
— Remember past victories to bolster your faith in present struggles.
— Allow your vulnerabilities to deepen your reliance on God’s grace. When you are weak, God’s grace makes you strong!
2. God Will Give You Unexpected Blessings Through Unlikely Sources.
Jonathan’s support of David defies human logic. Despite being the person who stood to lose the most from David’s rise, Jonathan became his most determined ally. This demonstrates God’s sovereign ability to bring blessings through the most improbable channels. Jonathan’s willingness to bless David at his own expense illustrates the profound ways God can work to fulfill His purposes.
How this applies to you:
— Remain open to God’s blessings coming from unexpected sources.
— God can give you the unimaginable through the unexpected.
— Trust that God can turn potential adversaries into allies for your good.
— Recognize that divine favor often operates outside of human expectations.
— The favor of God often defies human logic, reasoning, or common sense.
— Be prepared for God to use unlikely people to advance His plan for your life.
— Maintain an attitude of gratitude for the unpredictable ways God orchestrates His blessings in and over your life.
3. Divine Purpose Trumps Human Positioning.
Jonathan’s willingness to concede his rightful claim to the throne in favor of David underscores a profound spiritual truth: God’s purpose supersedes human position or expectation. Despite being the natural heir, Jonathan recognizes and submits to God’s higher plan. This act of humility and spiritual discernment sets an example of aligning oneself with divine will, even when it conflicts with personal ambition or societal norms.
How this applies to you:
— Prioritize God’s calling on your life over worldly titles or positions.
— Honor God’s calling on the lives of others, even when it flies in the face of what society expects of them.
— Learn to see people the way God sees them.
— Be willing to step aside if God is elevating someone else for His purpose.
— Recognize that true greatness in God’s kingdom often requires humility.
— Seek to discern and align with God’s will, even when it challenges your expectations of others or even yourself.
— Learn to believe what God believes about you, to the point where you learn to honor yourself and what God has called you to do.
— Trust that submission to God’s plan leads to greater fulfillment than pursuing personal ambition.
— Whatever you give up for God’s plans becomes a seed and He will ensure you reap a harvest. Take it from me: God’s harvest is greater than anything you would have achieved through personal ambition.
4. Covenant Loyalty is Rare in a Disloyal World.
The depth of Jonathan and David’s covenant relationship is rare, but it is even more rare when you consider the political implications and the level of the betrayal surrounding them. Their commitment to each other, rooted in their shared faith, transcends blood ties and political allegiances. This loyalty, sealed with Jonathan’s willingness to face divine punishment if he fails David, exemplifies the kind of steadfast love and faithfulness God calls us to embody in our relationships.
How this applies to you:
— Godly relationships are even more powerful when they are built on shared faith and mutual commitment to God’s purposes.
— Be willing to stand by those God has placed in your life, even when it’s costly.
— Recognize the power of covenant relationships in fulfilling God’s plans. You need them, and they need you.
— Strive to be a loyal friend and ally to those on a similar spiritual journey. Two are better than one (Ecc 4:9).
— Allow your friendships to be a reflection of God’s faithful love for others. Do, for your friends, what God would do for you!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I thank You that my imperfections don’t disqualify me from Your promises.
Your grace is sufficient, even when my faith falters.
I trust in Your sovereign ability to bring blessings through unexpected sources, knowing You can turn any situation for my good.
I submit my ambitions and positions to Your divine purpose, recognizing that Your plans are higher than mine.
I commit to cultivating covenant relationships that reflect Your faithfulness, standing by those You’ve placed in my life.
I am OPEN to all You want to do in my life, through whomever You want to do it.
I know you can give me the unimaginable through the unexpected.
I stand firm on Your promises, assured that Your good plans for me will prevail against all opposition.
GREATER IS COMING FOR ME because You are faithful to complete the good work You’ve begun in me.
I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!????????????????
