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 3:31 – 4:12)
In the last few days, studying the life of David, we have seen General Abner pledge his allegiance to the King of Judah and then plan a lobbying campaign to make David the king over the entire nation of Israel. Unfortunately, David’s own General (Joab) spoiled the plan when he killed Abner in revenge for his brother’s death. Joab may have avenged his brother, but he surely made a mess of David’s plans. King David was furious and saddened. David mourned the death of Abner and fasted the entire day of his funeral.
Meanwhile, when King Ishbosheth heard about Abner’s death at Hebron, he lost all his courage, and all Israel became paralyzed with fear. General Abner was his strength, and with the commander gone, King Ishbosheth knew his days as king were numbered.
Two of his own men, Baanah and Recab, who were brothers and captains of Ishbosheth’s raiding parties, took it upon themselves to kill the king. They went to Ishbosheth’s palace around noon while he was napping. The doorkeeper, who had been sifting wheat, became drowsy and fell asleep. So Recab and Baanah slipped past her. They went into the house and found Ishbosheth sleeping on his bed. They killed him and cut off his head. Then, taking his head with them, they fled across the Jordan Valley through the night.
When they arrived at Hebron, they presented Ishbosheth’s head to David. They thought David would reward them, but the payment David gave them was not what they expected. David said to Recab and Baanah, “The LORD, who saves me from all my enemies, is my witness. Someone once told me, ‘Saul is dead,’ thinking he was bringing me good news. But I seized him and killed him at Ziklag. That’s the reward I gave him for his news! How much more should I reward evil men who have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed? Shouldn’t I hold you responsible for his blood and rid the earth of you?” With that, David ordered his young men to kill them, and they did. They cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies beside the pool in Hebron. Then they took Ishbosheth’s head and buried it in Abner’s tomb in Hebron.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Righteousness Before Results.
David knew he was destined to be king. This wasn’t just a personal ambition but a divine appointment confirmed by the prophet Samuel years earlier. Yet, despite having multiple opportunities to seize the throne through violence or deception, David consistently chose righteousness over expedience. He refused to kill Saul when he had the chance, and he wouldn’t wage war against Ishbosheth, even though victory would have been assured. David understood that pursuing the right thing the wrong way transforms it into the wrong thing.
How this applies to you:
— Far too many believers today know God has called them to do something or lay hold of something, but they then pursue those things in unscrupulous and ungodly ways.
— The ends never justify the means in God’s kingdom.
— Your methods matter as much as your mission to God.
— Righteousness isn’t just about what you get, but how you get it.
— God’s promises don’t need your compromise to come to pass.
— You can’t cheat your way to God’s best and then think the blessing will be on you.
— You can’t violate your integrity to take possession of something you know God has destined you to have because you will be spoiling the process and cutting yourself off from the anointing to enjoy it when you get it.
— The best thing to do is to maintain your integrity, to do what is right because it’s right, and to wait on God for His timing.
— Shortcuts to success often lead to long-term failure.
2. Evil Acts Don’t Deserve Godly Rewards.
David’s response to Baanah and Recab is a powerful lesson about righteousness. These two men thought they were doing David a favor by murdering Ishbosheth. They assumed their treacherous act would be rewarded since it removed an obstacle to David’s throne. However, David’s response was swift and severe – he had them executed.
David understood that evil acts, even when done in the name of supporting God’s plan, are still evil. He refused to reward wickedness, even when it seemingly benefited him. This teaches us that God’s purposes cannot be achieved through ungodly means, and we should never expect God (or godly leaders) to celebrate or reward unrighteous behavior, regardless of the supposed benefits.
How this applies to you:
— Never assume that wrong actions will be rewarded just because they produced “right” results.
— God is more concerned with how you achieve something than what you achieve.
— With God, the end result is less important than the process you endured to get it. Why? Because God is more concerned with your character than the blessing you are pursuing.
— Your methods must match your message; you can’t promote righteousness through unrighteousness.
— Your audio must match your video and vice-versa.
— There are no exceptions – God’s way is the only acceptable way.
— Godly leadership means refusing to benefit from or reward ungodly actions.
3. Your Response Reveals Your Heart.
David’s reaction to both Abner’s death and Ishbosheth’s murder revealed his true character. Rather than celebrating the removal of potential obstacles to his throne, he mourned Abner’s death and executed those who killed Ishbosheth. His responses demonstrated that he valued righteousness above convenience and God’s approval above personal gain.
How this applies to you:
— Your reactions in moments of crisis reveal your true character.
— God tests your heart through your responses to opportunity.
— True nobility and godliness are shown in how you treat your opponents.
— Your character is more important than your crown.
— God is more concerned with who you become than what you achieve.
— Every opportunity put in front of you will test whether you’ll choose God’s way or the world’s way.
4. God’s Timing Ensures His Glory.
By refusing to take matters into his own hands, David allowed God to establish his kingdom in a way that brought glory to God rather than credit to human craftiness. There was a clear difference between how David came to power and how others who fought, cheated, and stole came to power.
How this applies to you:
— God is glorified through righteous patience, not wicked opportunism.
— God’s ways bring Him glory while ensuring your success.
— Divine timing always produces divine results.
— Waiting on God’s timing prevents you from having to defend your position.
— Your patience allows God to work in ways that display His power.
— When you do things God’s way, His timing produces perfect results.
— When God establishes you, after you have endured His processing, not only will it be a true blessing to you, but at that point, no one will be able to overtake you because God placed you there!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I choose righteousness over convenience in every situation.
I trust Your timing and refuse to force doors open prematurely.
I declare that my hands will remain clean and my heart pure as I wait for Your promises to manifest.
My character and integrity are not for sale at any price.
I trust You to establish me in a way that brings glory to Your name.
Your timing is perfect, and I submit to Your divine schedule for my life.
I reject every opportunity to advance through unrighteous means.
I choose righteous patience over wicked opportunism.
I stand firm in righteousness, knowing Your way is the only way to true success.
Every promise You’ve made will manifest at exactly the right time and in exactly the right way.
Living this way, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME!
I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it, and prosper!
