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. This is based on 2 Samuel 5:17-25
When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed King of Israel, they mobilized all their forces to capture him. That’s sad. David spent years living amongst the Philistines, and when he became the King of Judah, ruling only one of the 12 tribes of Israel, they did not bother him at all. However, as soon as David became the overall King of a united Israel, the Philistines wasted no time attacking him and the nation he represented.
David was told the Philistines were coming, so he went into his stronghold. The Philistines arrived and spread out across the valley of Rephaim. Can you picture the scene? David was locked up in his stronghold — something like an old castle — and the Philistines were spread out across the valley, preparing to attack. So David did what he always did in situations like this. He prayed. He inquired of the Lord. David asked the LORD, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” This sounds like the same prayer David prayed when his wives had been taken in Ziklag. He basically asked, “Should I fight?” and “Will I win?” To which the LORD replied, “Yes, go ahead. I will certainly hand them over to you.”
Once David knew that God was with him and that God would give him the victory, he led his troops to Baal-Perazim and defeated the Philistines there. But David had the proper perspective. He knew the win came by the grace of God, so the King exclaimed, “The LORD burst through my enemies like a raging flood!” In other words, he was saying, “The LORD did it!” Although David and his men were the ones fighting on the ground, David gave all the glory to God, and he named that place Baal-Perazim, which means “the Lord who bursts through.”
You would think the Philistines would leave David alone, but you know how pesky attackers can be. It was not long before more Philistines came and spread out across the valley of Rephaim again. They were ready for another round of fighting. So, again, David asked the LORD what to do. The Lord said, “Do not attack them straight on. Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, be on the alert! That will be the signal that the LORD is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.” So David did what the LORD commanded, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Elevation Often Attracts Opposition.
The Philistines did not attack David when he was the King of just one tribe, but when he became King of the entire nation, here came the attackers. This is just a reminder that when your success is perceived to be small and harmless, you won’t be attacked because you are not seen as a threat. But as soon as you cross over into relative success, even many of those who used to be FINE with you find a way to find FAULT with you. Not because you did anything wrong but because your success threatens their insecurities. But don’t worry, the same God who blessed you to get the position, can bless you to keep it.
How this applies to you:
— Recognize that attacks often come as a result of your progress, not your failure.
— The greater your impact, the greater the attacks you will face.
— When God elevates you, don’t be surprised when opposition rises. The enemy doesn’t attack what he doesn’t view as a threat.
— Opposition often serves as confirmation that you’re moving in the right direction.
— Understand that opposition can be a sign of effectiveness in your divine assignment.
— Remember that if you weren’t a threat, the enemy wouldn’t waste his time.
— Stay encouraged, knowing that the size of your opposition often indicates the size of your opportunity.
2. Make Prayer Your First Response.
You may be facing a major decision today or this week. You may be up against serious opposition. You may need divine insight. Do not think, for one moment, that God is not interested in what you are facing. Are there bigger problems in the world? Yes. But just like the God of the Universe took the time to give David specific instructions, He will do the same for you.
For David, it was about fighting the Philistines. For you, it might be how to give a presentation, how to approach a particular meeting, or whether or not to make a certain deal. Whatever the case, God is interested in your daily affairs, and if you seek His guidance, He will guide you concerning what to do and how to do it. Why? Because the Lord wants you to win! Just make sure to give Him the glory when you experience the victory!
How this applies to you:
— Make prayer your first response, not your last resort.
— Make it a habit to pray before taking any action.
— Don’t let the urgency of the situation cause you to skip seeking God.
— Remember that prayer positions you to receive divine strategy.
— David sought specific guidance for each battle. This practice demonstrates the importance of maintaining constant communication with God, especially during times of conflict.
— David did not assume that what worked the last time was what God wanted him to do the next time! Seek God’s specific guidance for each situation rather than relying on past experiences.
— Trust that God’s solution is better than your best ideas.
— Wait for clear divine direction before taking action.
— Trust that God’s strategy, though sometimes unconventional, is always perfect.
— Remember that divine victory comes through following God’s plan, not creating your own.
3. Follow God’s Specific Strategy.
When God gave David instructions for the second battle, He promised to go before him. The sound of marching in the treetops would signal divine intervention. This teaches us that our success isn’t dependent solely on our efforts but on God’s presence and involvement.
How this applies to you:
— Don’t move out until you hear from God.
— Make sure you have peace in your heart before stepping out. The absence of peace is an indication that you are not centered in God’s will.
— Wait for God’s signal before moving forward.
— Recognize that God’s presence is more important than your performance.
— Trust that God is working even when you can’t see Him moving.
— Allow God to prepare the way before you take action.
— Remember that victory comes through God’s power, not your strength.
— Hearing from God and doing what He leads you to do is more important than any pressure you feel from this world to move. Many Christians RUSH TO FAILURE because they failed to wait on God’s direction.
4. Different Battles Require Different Strategies – Don’t Assume You Know What To Do.
God gave David different battle plans for what appeared to be similar situations. In the first battle, God directed a frontal assault. In the second, He prescribed a flanking maneuver with specific timing. This teaches us that we can’t rely on yesterday’s strategy for today’s battle.
How this applies to you:
— Remain flexible and open to God’s unique strategy for each situation.
— Don’t assume that what worked before will automatically work again.
— Listen for God’s specific instructions for your current challenge.
— Be willing to change your approach when God directs.
— Trust God’s wisdom even when His strategy seems unconventional.
5. Obedience Releases Grace for Victory.
David’s success came through his careful attention to and execution of God’s instructions. He didn’t partially obey or modify God’s plan. His complete obedience released God’s victory, pursuing the Philistines from Gibeon to Gezer.
How this applies to you:
— Follow God’s instructions precisely, without modification.
— Trust that obedience activates God’s grace for victory.
— Understand that partial obedience can compromise your victory. Partial obedience was what got Saul in trouble with God.
— Remember that God’s grace is sufficient for whatever He calls you to do.
— Stay committed to God’s plan until the victory is complete.
— Whenever David faced something, he did not rely on a priest or prophet to seek God on his behalf. He inquired of the Lord himself and did whatever God led him to do. This is what made David a man after God’s own heart. This is how we are supposed to live!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I declare that Your elevation in my life is worth any opposition I may face.
I position myself to receive Your divine direction before every battle I face.
I trust that You will give me specific strategies for specific situations.
I wait for Your presence to go before me in every endeavor.
Your grace empowers me to fight and win every battle You call me to face.
I respond to opposition with prayer and careful attention to Your voice.
I walk in complete obedience to Your instructions, holding nothing back.
I recognize that Your presence is my ultimate advantage in every situation.
I declare that no weapon formed against me shall prosper.
Victory is mine because I follow Your leading and trust in Your grace.
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!
