SCRIPTURE READING: 1 SAMUEL 17: 1-53
FOCUS: “And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.” (1 Samuel 17: 28)
MEMORY VERSE: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29: 11)
In our Focal Scripture, upon sighting David in the battle field, Eliab was filled with wrath. He queried why David came to the battlefield. He asked of whom the few sheep were left with. Eliab knew about David’s activities in the bush, with the sheep; he even knew that David had been anointed as king, but he had no idea that David was about to kill Goliath and remove the reproach of Israel. He knew about David’s past and present, but not the future.
Friend, there are people who can effectively chronicle your past; they have a perfect understanding of your present; but they have no idea of your tomorrow. There are people who are only willing to see you through the binoculars of your past failures. There are people who are only willing to recognize your past and present but loathe your future. There are people who celebrate and announce your past and present, but hate your future.
The same way David was undeterred by the words of Eliab, refuse to be hounded by those who elevate your past above your future. Pay no attention to those who are quick to remind you of what didn’t go right, but are unwilling to recognize your glorious future. Refuse the words of those who want you to wear your past like an apron. Refuse the temptation of seeing yourself through the binoculars of your past.
Walk away from those that constantly remind you of, and blackmail you with your past. Disconnect from those who amplify your failures and weaknesses. Be done with your past failures. Forget about the things behind and press towards the future. Keep your eyes on your future. Keep your eyes on the possibilities that are soon becoming your reality. Keep your eyes on divine agenda rather than the opinions of mere mortals.
Being fixated on your yesterday might make you recreate your yesterday in your tomorrow. No matter how hard your Eliab’s try to keep your eyes on your yesterday, keep your eyes on your tomorrow.
FURTHER READING: JEREMIAH 29
DECLARATION:
- I refuse to focus on my past; no Eliab will recreate my past in my future, in Jesus’ name!
