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 20:17-42)
Although David knew that Saul was trying to kill him, Jonathan was still not convinced. So, the two came up with a plan. David was to hide in the woods in a specific spot, and Jonathan was to attend the dinner meal with his father during the moon festival. David had a place at the table that was obviously going to be empty, so when the king realized that David was missing, Jonathan was to tell his father that David had to go home to Bethlehem to attend to a family matter. If Saul was okay with David not being there, that would be evidence that Saul’s anger had subsided, but if he got angry, it would be clear that Saul wanted David killed. The next day, Jonathan was to go out into the woods for archery practice, and after shooting three arrows in the direction where David was, Jonathan would send a boy to get the arrows and then yell one of two things to the boy. One statement would let David know the coast was clear. The other statement would tell David that his life was in danger. This sounds like something out of a movie. I love it.
The festival came, and the plan was set in motion. When Jonathan told Saul that David had to go back to Bethlehem, Saul was furious. Prior to this, Saul was always careful not to expose his true feelings in front of Jonathan because he knew Jonathan loved David. But this day, Saul lost it. Saul said to his own son, “You stupid son of a whore! Do you think I don’t know that you want him to be king in your place, shaming yourself and your mother? As long as that son of Jesse is alive, you’ll never be king. Now go and get him so I can kill him!” But Jonathan pleaded, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” Saul got even more upset with the questions and hurled his spear at Jonathan, intending to kill his own son. With that, Jonathan finally realized that his father was determined to kill David, and his father’s shameful behavior crushed him.
The next morning, Jonathan went out to the woods, shot his arrows, sent the boy, yelled the statement to signal David what had happened, and then sent the boy back to town. As soon as the boy was gone, David came out from where he had been hiding; he bowed three times to Jonathan with his face to the ground as a form of thanks for what he had done. By this point, both men were in tears. They embraced each other and said goodbye. Jonathan’s last words to David were, “Go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the LORD’s name. The LORD is the witness of a bond between us and our children forever.”
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. God can grace you to see other’s true intentions.
Although Jonathan either could not see or did not want to see the evil in his father, David certainly did. Unfortunately, many will smile in your face and then attempt to stab you in the back. However, God can grace you to see right through the façade of others, discerning their true intentions. This divine discernment is a crucial gift in navigating relationships and protecting yourself from those who may harm you under the guise of friendship.
How this applies to you:
— Ask God for wisdom to discern the true nature of your relationships.
— When you meet people for the first time or when dealing with people on a new venture, an inherent level of trust is required to move forward. Thankfully, sometimes the Holy Spirit prompts us not to extend that trust because He knows their intentions are not pure.
— Trust your God-given instincts when something feels off in an interaction.
— I have told you before that “peace” should be your umpire. I don’t do anything when I don’t have peace about it.
— When something is off, the Holy Spirit will give you a “check” in your spirit. He will disturb your peace.
— Be open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in understanding others’ motivations.
— Practice discernment in all areas of life, from personal relationships to professional encounters.
— Remember that discernment is a spiritual gift that can be developed through prayer and closeness to God.
2. People’s true colors come out eventually.
Time has a way of revealing what truly lies in a person’s heart. Saul’s true feelings towards David, which he had carefully concealed, finally erupted in an uncontrollable outburst before Jonathan. This serves as a reminder that no matter how hard someone tries to hide their true nature, it will eventually come to light. Said another way: What’s in you abundantly has to come out of you eventually!
How this applies to you:
— Be patient when assessing others, knowing that time will reveal their true character.
— Pay attention to patterns of behavior rather than isolated incidents.
— Don’t be swayed by initial impressions; allow time for a person’s true colors to emerge.
— Trust that God will bring hidden motives and intentions to light in His timing.
— While God does not want you to be naive, He also does not want you to be gullible. When you walk with the Holy Spirit, He will give you the discernment to protect yourself while still extending grace to others.
— Now, when they finally reveal their true intentions, don’t overlook them. In other words, when people show you their true nature, believe it! Don’t overlook it or make excuses for them. Believe what they are showing you and act accordingly.
3. Don’t let others change who you are.
No matter how others feel about you, good or bad, do not allow the actions or feelings of others to change you. Be true to yourself and your God. Be yourself day in and day out. This way, even when others change, you won’t. If you are at peace with your identity in Christ (knowing who God made you to be), you will not be moved by the actions of others. Said another way, you have the grace to be YOU. Don’t let anyone cause you to operate outside of that grace.
How this applies to you:
— Stay grounded in your identity in Christ, regardless of how others treat you.
— Don’t compromise your values or character to appease those who oppose you.
— Don’t stoop to the level of the people who are coming up against you.
— Remember that your worth is determined by God, not by others’ opinions or actions.
— Use challenges as opportunities to strengthen your faith and character.
— Let your consistent behavior be a testament to your faith and integrity.
— When the actions or opinions of others do not phase your conduct and character, you will reflect the level of consistency and godliness that glorifies God on this planet.
4. The Power of Covenant Relationships.
The bond between David and Jonathan exemplifies the strength of covenant relationships rooted in faith. Despite the personal cost to Jonathan (he was willing to give up the throne so David could have it), he remained loyal to David, honoring their friendship and the promises they made to each other before God. This loyalty ultimately played a crucial role in preserving David’s life and future kingship.
How this applies to you:
— When you have deep, covenant relationships that are founded on shared faith and values, make sure you value them because they are rare.
— Recognize the value of true friendships that can withstand trials and opposition.
— After Jonathan’s death, David would go on to have other friends, but none like Jonathan. So, when you have a friend like this, make sure you make the most of the relationship.
— Be committed to honoring what God is doing in the lives of others, even when it comes at a personal cost. God will take care of you in the end.
— Be willing to stand by those God has placed in your life, even in difficult times.
— Understand that strong, faithful relationships can be instrumental in fulfilling God’s purpose for your life.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I thank You for blessing me to discern the true intentions of others.
While people may smile in my face, with full intentions of stabbing me in the back as soon as I turn around, I am neither fooled nor moved by their actions.
I am not fooled because You reveal to me all I need to know to run the race set before me.
I am not moved because their actions cannot hurt me, and I refuse to allow them to change me.
When people deal with me in deceptive ways, I know their true colors will eventually come out, and everyone will see them for who they are. I am committed to being ME before and even after their true intentions are known.
You have graced me to be ME, and I declare that I will.
I refuse to allow the actions of others to get me outside of the grace You have placed on my life.
I have the grace to run my race, and I will do so. No one can get me off course.
No malice, strife, ill-will, attack, hex, vex, or spell can derail me from my destiny.
I know who I am, because I know whose I am, and I shall be the best ME I can be, all the days of my life.
GREATER IS COMING FOR ME because I am walking in the authenticity of my divine assignment.
I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!????????????????
