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 3:6-17)
As the war between the house of Saul and David went on, General Abner, who had been an influential leader for decades (dating back to when David was a shepherd boy), became an even more powerful and influential leader among those loyal to Saul. Remember, this man had so much influence that he single-handedly (and successfully) lobbied to make Saul’s son Ishbosheth the King of Israel after Saul’s death. If not for Abner, Ishbosheth would not be king and David would not be waiting.
One day, King Ishbosheth’s relationship with General Abner took a turn for the worse. The king accused the General of sleeping with one of his father’s concubines, a woman named Rizpah. Abner was offended and furious. Abner shouted to the king, “Am I some Judean dog to be kicked around like this? After all I have done for your father, Saul, and his family and friends by not handing you over to David, is this my reward—that you find fault with me about this woman? May God strike me and even kill me if I don’t do everything I can to help David get what the LORD has promised him! I’m going to take Saul’s kingdom and give it to David. I will establish the throne of David over Israel as well as Judah, all the way from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south.” The king realized he had put his royal foot in his mouth, so he didn’t dare say another word. Although he was the king, he knew General Abner had the power.
Abner sent messengers to David, saying, “Doesn’t the entire land belong to you? Make a solemn pact with me, and I will help turn over all of Israel to you.” King David knew how much influence General Abner had, so he agreed, but with one stipulation. David wanted his first wife back, Michal, the daughter of Saul. Remember, Saul made her leave David and marry another man. Even though David had moved on and now had six sons from several wives, he still loved Michal and wanted her back. David sent this message to Ishbosheth: “Give me back my wife Michal, for I bought her with the lives of 100 Philistines.” King Ishbosheth agreed; he took his sister away from her current husband and sent her back to her original husband (David) with Abner. On the way, Abner wasted no time and started lobbying for David. The General met with several of Israel’s elders and said, “For some time now, you have wanted to make David your king. Now is the time! For the LORD has said, ‘I have chosen David to save my people Israel from the hands of the Philistines and from all their other enemies.'” The man who was once his staunch enemy was now his biggest supporter.
I know this sounds like a soap opera, but there are some lessons to learn here.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Your Breakthrough Can Come at Any Moment.
David did nothing to initiate this turn of events. While David was minding his own business, trouble arose in the enemy’s camp, which worked out for his good. The same can happen for you. While you are minding your own business and being faithful to God to do what He has set before you, events can change quickly in your favor, bringing into manifestation what you have been waiting for. So remain faithful and keep your expectations high. Your change can come at any moment.
How this applies to you:
— Your breakthrough can manifest in an instant.
— David experienced a sudden shift in his favor without his initiation or manipulation. God can similarly orchestrate sudden breakthroughs in your life while you remain faithful to your current assignment.
— Maintain your integrity even when you can’t see progress happening.
— Keep your expectations high, regardless of current circumstances.
— Remember that “suddenlies” often come after seasons of faithful service.
— Live with daily expectation, knowing that THIS could be your day of breakthrough.
— Keep your spiritual antenna up; God often moves when you least expect it.
2. Divine Purpose Prevails Over Human Plans.
Despite all human efforts to prevent David’s kingship (13 years of opposition from Saul, the betrayal of the Philistines, and the delay caused by General Abner), God’s purpose ultimately prevailed. What God decrees will come to pass, regardless of who opposes it or how impossible it seems.
How this applies to you:
— God’s purpose for your life will not be denied, regardless of how many people try to stop it.
— What God has decreed about your life was settled in eternity, before the beginning of time.
— Man can oppose what God has ordained, but human opposition cannot stop divine ordination.
— Trust that no human resistance can stop God’s plan.
— Meditate on the fact that God’s purposes are unstoppable.
— Stay aligned with God’s will, knowing it will prevail.
— Maintain confidence in God’s ability to overcome all obstacles.
— Rest in God’s ability to fulfill His purpose in and through your life. It’s All About HIM!
3. God Uses Unlikely Instruments.
One of David’s most staunch enemies, General Abner, turned into his greatest supporter overnight. David’s son Solomon would later teach us that something similar can happen to us. Solomon said, “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Prov 16:7). God can give you favor, by grace, to where even your enemies wind up working for your good.
How this applies to you:
— The very man who opposed David’s kingship became the instrument God used to establish it. The favor of God can do the same in your life.
— Your greatest opponent today could become your strongest supporter tomorrow.
— God delights in using unexpected people to showcase His sovereignty and power.
— Stay open to help coming from unexpected sources.
— Never limit how God might choose to deliver your breakthrough.
— Recognize that God can use anyone to fulfill His purpose.
— Remain humble and receptive to God’s unusual methods.
— Trust God’s wisdom in choosing His instruments.
— Keep your heart free from unforgiveness; the person who hurt you might be the one God uses to help you.
4. We Serve a God Who Can Resurrect Dead Dreams.
By 2 Samuel 3, it seemed like a lifetime since David had been married to his first love, Michal. Saul separated David and Michal, and both remarried and moved on with their lives. But after more than 15 years (maybe even closer to 20), in the midst of events that seem better placed in the script of a Soap Opera than in the pages of the Bible, David and Michal were reunited. The message here is that it is never too late for God. No matter how dead the dream seems, we serve a God who can resurrect dead dreams and turn seemingly hopeless situations around!
How this applies to you:
— Never consider any God-given dream permanently dead.
— God specializes in bringing life to dead situations and hope to hopeless circumstances.
— Maintain faith for restoration, regardless of how much time has passed.
— Trust God’s ability to resurrect what appears permanently lost.
— Keep your heart open to receive restoration when it comes.
— Remember that time is no barrier to God’s restoration power.
Note: If, while you are reading this, God is bringing something back to the forefront of your mind (something that has been dead in your heart for years or even decades), it is because He is resurrecting a DEAD DREAM for you. He is bringing it back because He still wants to make it happen for you! Receive that!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I declare that my breakthrough can manifest at any time, and I live in constant expectation of Your “suddenly” moments.
I stand confident that Your divine purpose for my life will prevail against all opposition and obstacles.
I trust You to use even unlikely people and unexpected circumstances to bring about Your perfect will in my life.
I declare that Your favor is transforming my adversaries into advocates, just as You did for David.
I believe You are breathing life into every dead dream that aligns with Your purpose for me.
I walk in supernatural peace, knowing that Your timing is perfect and Your ways are higher than mine.
I remain faithful to my current assignment, knowing that You are orchestrating everything behind the scenes.
I declare that no weapon formed against me shall prosper because You fight my battles.
I live in full assurance that what You have promised, You will bring to pass in Your perfect timing.
Living this way, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it, and prosper!
