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 27:1-4)
We just spent a week doing a recap of chapters 16-26. Today, we cross over to chapter 27.
David’s journey from shepherd to king was marked by seasons of intense pursuit and conflict. For months, we have been studying the space between God’s promise to David (to make him king) and its manifestation. In 1 Samuel 27, we find David at a breaking point. After years of running from Saul, constantly looking over his shoulder, living in caves, and leading a band of 600 men, David reached a state of complete exhaustion.
The Hebrew text suggests he was not just physically tired, but mentally and emotionally drained. In this weakened state, he made a decision that seemed completely out of character – he chose to seek refuge among Israel’s enemies, the Philistines. This story is particularly relevant today, as our nation stands at a crucial crossroads on election day, with many feeling the weight of political tension and division. Many have been concerned about the results of this election for months, and after all the debate and, in some cases, flat-out arguments, the decision will be made (by the nation) today.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Exhaustion Can Lead to Poor Decision-Making:
Rest is spiritual. I personally know great men of God who have had periods in their lives where they wanted to give up on ministry and quit on their assignment just because they were burned out. Some have even gotten depressed because of a lack of sufficient rest. We are not designed to live without rest. While I don’t religiously observe a Sabbath, I do ensure I get Sabbath rest. When you make time for a Sabbath rest, you allow the Father to restore, revive, and rejuvenate you to be ready for the next week. If you don’t rest and get to the burnout stage, you will be useless to God or anyone else.
David, who had previously proclaimed bold faith in God’s protection, now succumbed to fear and fatigue, thinking, “Saul is going to get me.” When we’re exhausted, our faith can waver, and our decision-making abilities become compromised. This mental and emotional fatigue can cause us to see circumstances through the lens of fear rather than faith.
How this applies to you:
— Recognize the warning signs of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion.
— Understand that fatigue affects your spiritual discernment and decision-making ability.
— Make time for proper rest before making major life decisions.
— Never make an important decision when you are tired, exhausted, or stressed.
— Remember that exhaustion can distort your perception of God’s faithfulness.
Remember David in the Cave of Adullam? He was so exhausted that he wanted to give up on everything. Elijah was so worn out after being used by God to call down fire and call down rain that he wanted to die. He literally asked God to take his life. And what did God do to restore him? Did God give him an amazing WORD? No. Did God send people to minister to him? No. God made Elijah get some food and some sleep, and then Elijah came back to him with a sound mind.
So:
a) Never allow yourself to get to the state where you are completely exhausted because you will be susceptible to stress and satan in that state,
b) If you know you are exhausted, make sure you seek counsel from others who are hearing from God before you make major decisions and
c) Make sure you get restored to a place of peace and rest before making decisions that will impact your future.
2. Don’t Make Permanent Decisions During Temporary Trials:
David was at a low point when he chose to move to Philistine, and he ended up living there for an extended period of time. David should not have made such an important decision when he was at a low point in his life. As for you, learn from David’s mistake and only make major decisions when you are in a state — mentally, physically, psychologically, spiritually — to do so. If not, you will make a poor decision and, like David, you will pay for it.
David’s decision to partner up with the Philistines was a temporary solution that created long-term complications. When we’re in the midst of trials, we must resist the urge to make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances.
How this applies to you:
— Take time to pray and seek God’s wisdom before making major decisions.
— Consider the long-term implications of decisions made under pressure.
— Remember that seasons of difficulty are temporary.
— Maintain a Godly perspective by staying grounded in God’s Word and spending time with the Holy Spirit.
— Seek Godly counsel when facing significant decisions.
— Let peace be the umpire of your soul. If you don’t have a peace about a decision, don’t make it.
As you cast your vote today, don’t let it be a vote that you are making because:
a) You are tired of all the rhetoric, bickering, and fighting,
b) You are being led by your emotions or,
c) You are being influenced by the others.
If you are Born-Again, you have God’s Spirit. Pray, seek God’s face, enter into God’s rest concerning your decision, and then vote. In the end, if the candidate you voted for did not win, don’t lose sleep over it. God will still be God tomorrow and His plans for you will still be good.
3. The Necessity of Strategic Rest:
God established the principle of rest from the beginning of creation. He didn’t rest because He was tired; He rested to establish a pattern for us. David’s situation demonstrates what happens when we fail to implement proper rest in our lives. Strategic rest isn’t laziness; it’s wisdom.
How this applies to you:
— Schedule regular times of rest and restoration in your life.
— View rest as a spiritual discipline, not just a physical necessity.
— Use rest periods to reflect, realign, and refocus on God’s promises.
— Understand that rest is preparation for future battles.
— Learn to rest in God’s presence while waiting for His timing.
— When you understand that walking with God is a life-long journey (a marathon, not a sprint), you will better understand the significance of rest.
4. Thankfully, God’s Protection Remains, Even in Our Moments of Weakness:
Despite David’s lapse in judgment, God’s protection never left him. Even in Philistine territory, God preserved David and his men. This reminds us that God’s faithfulness isn’t dependent on our perfect decision-making.
How this applies to you:
— Trust that God’s protection remains even when you make mistakes.
— Remember that God’s promises are not nullified by your weakness.
— Rest in God’s grace during times of uncertainty.
— Allow God to redeem your wrong decisions.
— Maintain faith in God’s ability to work all things for your good.
I will connect this point to the fact that today is election day. No matter who wins the election in the USA today, there will be some people who will be disappointed. Some news channel tomorrow will attempt to say that our nation made a mistake and that we are in for a terrible 4 years. But I want to remind you that God will still be God, His promises for your life will still be intact, and whoever sits in the White House will not nullify what God has planned to do in YOUR HOUSE! Please remember this tomorrow and in the days to come. David spent years with the Philistines, but it did not derail him from his destiny. He still became the King of Israel, and God’s plan was still good. The same will be said for you, no matter who wins the election.
5. National Rest After Political Tension:
Just as David needed rest from constant conflict, our nation needs rest from political tension. Today’s election reminds us that regardless of the outcome, we are called to rest in God’s sovereignty. Like David, we might be tempted to make drastic decisions based on political outcomes, but our trust must remain in God.
How this applies to you:
— Some people have said, “If X candidate wins, I am moving out of the country.” But as believers, we must choose to rest in God’s sovereignty regardless of election results.
— As believers, we must also seek to maintain unity despite political differences. No matter who you vote for, you are still my brother or sister in Christ.
— Focus on Kingdom priorities rather than political divisions.
— Be an agent of peace and reconciliation in your community.
— Remember that God’s throne is not affected by electoral outcomes. God will still be God.
— Please pray for peace, unity, and reconciliation, no matter who wins the election.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, Your sovereignty reigns supreme over every election and earthly authority.
I declare that Your throne remains unshaken, regardless of political outcomes.
My faith is anchored in Your unchanging promises, not in changing circumstances.
I rest in perfect peace, knowing You remain in control of my destiny.
Your plans for my life transcend any political decisions or national transitions.
I stand firm as Your ambassador of peace, love, and unity in this season.
My trust is completely in You, far above any earthly government or authority.
You direct my path and protect my future, no matter who sits in places of power.
Your Kingdom agenda prevails in my life, superseding all worldly systems.
GREATER IS COMING because You reign supreme over all!
I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it, and prosper!
