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 2 Samuel 2:4-10)
In our last messages, we saw how David was appointed king of the Judah tribe after Saul’s death. The appointment came by grace. God led David to Hebron, and as soon as David arrived, the men of Judah took it upon themselves to anoint him king over the tribe. David was finally a king. However, there were still 11 other tribes in Israel over which David was not king.
With Saul dead, and with him being a newly anointed and appointed king over Judah, David was ready to take his rightful place as king over the entire nation. When David heard that the men of Jabesh-Gilead had buried Saul, he sent them this message: “May the LORD bless you for being so loyal to your master Saul and giving him a decent burial. May the LORD be loyal to you in return and reward you with his unfailing love! And I, too, will reward you for what you have done. Now that Saul is dead, I ask you to be my strong and loyal subjects like the people of Judah, who have anointed me as their new king.” David was regal, stately, and political. After all the fighting he had endured, he expected to have the remaining thrones basically given to him. He got his hopes up. He opened his heart to it. He started seeing himself as the King over all of Israel. However, as is often the case, it would not be that easy.
General Abner did not die in the war with Amalek and was still loyal to Saul. Abner knew that one of Saul’s sons, Ishbosheth, was still alive. So, the General took Ishbosheth to Mahanaim. There, Abner took it upon himself to proclaim Ishbosheth king over Gilead, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, the land of the Ashurites, and all the rest of Israel. Ishbosheth was 40 years old when he became king and ruled from Mahanaim.
This divided the nation as David was king over Judah, his home tribe. David made Hebron his capital, and he ruled as king of Judah for seven and a half years. It was not what David wanted, but it was what happened. David would eventually become king over the entire nation, but it would not happen as fast as David wanted.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Divine Timing Requires Divine Alignment.
While God’s grace does guarantee perpetual provision, it does not guarantee a perpetual picnic. When David became king over Judah, he thought the rest would come as easily. Just like the people of Judah anointed him as their king, he thought the other 11 tribes would do the same. However, God’s grace on your life doesn’t mean you won’t face challenges. It just means you’re empowered to overcome every challenge you face. What appears to be opposition is often God’s way of bringing about divine alignment.
How this applies to you:
— Trust that God’s grace empowers you to overcome every obstacle and endure every delay.
— Understand that challenges often serve to align circumstances for your good.
— Remember that opposition doesn’t mean you’re out of God’s will.
— View difficulties as opportunities for God to demonstrate His power.
— Maintain your peace, knowing God’s grace is sufficient for every challenge.
— Recognize that alignment often requires multiple adjustments over time.
— Understand that proper positioning takes time to achieve. In order words, if the blessing is huge, then God has to align many things before it can come to pass. There are many factors that must align.
2. God’s Timeline Supersedes Your Timeline.
Human expectation and divine timing rarely align perfectly. Like David, we often expect immediate fulfillment of God’s promises once we see initial movement. We can get our hopes up. We can start dreaming. We can SEE ourselves walking in that blessing. However, God’s timeline operates on a scale different from ours. He sees the end from the beginning and knows exactly when all the pieces will come together. God’s timing considers not just our readiness, but the readiness of everyone and everything involved in our destiny.
How this applies to you:
— Release the timeline you came up with in your head and embrace God’s perfect timing.
— Understand that God’s delays are purposeful and protective.
— Trust that God’s timing accounts for factors you can’t see.
— Remember that the right thing at the wrong time becomes the wrong thing.
— Accept that God’s timing is always perfect, even when it doesn’t match your expectations.
— Acknowledge that God’s timeline includes preparing multiple people and circumstances. But when it all aligns, IT SHALL COME TO PASS!
3. Waiting Seasons Are Preparation Seasons.
When God seems to delay His promises, He’s actually preparing all the pieces of the puzzle. During David’s seven and a half years as king of Judah, God was working behind the scenes. He was preparing the hearts of the other tribes, dealing with opposition (like Abner and Ishbosheth), and further developing David’s leadership capabilities. What looks like a delay to us is actually God’s perfect preparation.
How this applies to you:
— Use seasons of waiting to develop your character and leadership abilities.
— Trust that God is working on multiple fronts to bring about His perfect will.
— Remember that others involved in your destiny need preparation, too. So, while you may feel like you are ready, they may not be ready to receive you.
— View delays as divine setups rather than setbacks.
— Recognize that the preparation of multiple parties cannot be rushed.
— Consider all the time it took for God to get you ready. So, imagine how much time it will take to get ALL the parties involved ready as well.
— Thorough preparation requires adequate time.
— Allow God to perfect all that concerns you during waiting seasons.
4. God’s Sovereignty Orchestrates All Things.
God’s sovereignty means He has the power to orchestrate multiple events, people, and circumstances to fulfill His will. In David’s case, God had to deal with Abner’s loyalty to Saul’s lineage, prepare the hearts of all twelve tribes, and develop David’s leadership. God wasn’t just working on David; He was working on an entire nation. Your breakthrough often requires more alignment than just your personal readiness.
How this applies to you:
— Trust God’s ability to coordinate all the moving pieces involved in your destiny.
— Remember that your breakthrough might depend on others’ preparation.
— Rest in knowing that God is orchestrating things beyond your control.
— Maintain faith that God’s timing considers all factors, not just your readiness.
— Accept that God’s perfect plan often involves multiple people and circumstances.
— Understand that synchronized timing often takes longer than individual timing.
Understanding all you have learned today, I hope you can see “Why God’s Timing Takes Time!“
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I understand that Your timing involves orchestrating multiple destinies, not just mine.
I declare that my preparation requires time, and I embrace Your process with patience.
I trust Your perfect wisdom in aligning people, circumstances, and events in my life.
I rest in knowing that while You prepare me, You are also preparing others for Your grand design.
I declare that every passing day brings greater alignment with Your divine purpose.
I maintain my peace, understanding that orchestrating multiple destinies takes time.
I position myself to receive all You have prepared at just the right time!
I accept that thorough preparation today leads to sustained success tomorrow.
With confidence in Your perfect timing, I declare GREATER IS COMING FOR ME!
I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it, and prosper!
