Prophecy Perception

"What God speaks He is certainly capable of performing."

PROPHECY IS NOT meant to scare you but to inform and to give you to prayer. It is an opportunity to lean into the spirit and spend time in God’s presence for the interpretation. This includes both biblical prophecies and those spoken by current prophets. Much of what people say a prophecy means, it often doesn't. We are prone to error in our need to know, including, as I said, our mental habit of making it scary.

The apostles were not afraid of prophecies but stated them frankly. Paul told several of the churches of the importance of it being the end-time age. John was frightened during his vision of Jesus in Revelation but not frightened to release it. Old Testament prophet Daniel was frightened of what he heard, but he did not have salvation and Christ in his heart to give him hope. He did not have the complete Bible to consult as we do now.

Jesus’ Resurrection altered the reason for prophecy. He was the reason before His life on earth. It altered the response as well. Now, we are told to judge the words of the prophets by the Spirit, as He is the voice of prophecy. Why He chooses to be so cryptic is usually so that we will seek Him for the meaning. All of the gifts given to the church are given at His will. He knows when to use then, how it will be received, and who needs to hear it and how it will be received. He never intends to send confusion. There is, in fact, no confusion in Him (1 Corinthians 14:33). Confusion comes from the enemy (James 3:16) and our lack of understanding. What we do not understand can make us afraid, but James, the Lord's brother, gives an incredible promise. When we ask God for wisdom, He delights in answering. We simply must receive it without wavering. I love the UDB translation which gives an incredible view of this.

“If anyone of you needs to know what to do, let him ask God, who gives generously and is not angry at anyone who asks. 6 But when you ask God, trust him to answer you. Do not doubt that he will answer and always help you, because people who keep doubting God cannot follow him, like a wave of the sea that is blown back and forth by the wind and thus cannot continue in the same direction.” (James 1:5-6 UDB)

The responsibility of walking by faith is on us. God’s goodness offers what we need for every situation we face, and we know He is the most trustworthy. In knowing, we are not tossed back and forth in our strength to follow Him. Doubt steals our strength to walk. Faith in God, for faith cannot be expressed without us having thought of God's love for us, makes us strong and as James 1:2 says, steadfast and enduring. Because we endure, we will see the answer. This is the promise.

“Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4 NEB)

“When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realise that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence.” (James 1:2-4 Phillips)

How we endure matters. We endure with joy, with praise on our lips. Whatever the circumstance looks like or whatever people say about it, with faith in God, we are certain of the outcome and not concerned about time or impossibility. Especially when considering prophecy. What God speaks He is certainly capable of performing. In fact, He never speaks in error. He speaks because He values us, because He loves us, and He desires us to see His perspective. When we see His perspective, then we celebrate what He has revealed to us. We don’t argue over it, criticize each other because of it, nor spread fear.

Prophecy can also bring correction. Israel heard much prophecy which could have rescued them from Babylon. It was not that God was angry and desired to harm them, but that they were so far away from Him, He had to let them go. They ignored all His pleas, and so they reaped the results of their sin. He then mourned their fallen state and, reminding them of His goodness and faithfulness, promised to bring them back to His side. Here again, we hear the words of James. “When we are tempted to sin, we must not think it is God who is tempting us, because no one can persuade God to do evil, and he never tries to persuade anyone to do evil (James 1:13 UDB).”

God’s heart for us is always good, is always blessing, and He has not changed in this. He desired good for His people, Israel. How much stronger is His desire to give us all that salvation provided. He gave us His most valuable gift, His Son. Everything else is pocket change.

“Everything good, healthy and beneficial originates in heaven and comes down from the Father who created the universe. He is always good and will never alter his methods of love. He does not waver, and he is certainly not the source of darkness and death!” (James 1:17, Remedy)

Image by Alfred Grupstra from Pixabay


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com