Have you ever noticed how God provides encouragement and confirmation when we need it most. We’ve recently been experiencing our own storms, but have received a number of confirmations in recent days, that are both encouraging and challenging at the same time.
Whilst travelling down to see Ruth’s parents at the weekend, we were listening to a preach in the car from Rich Wilkerson, who as an aside mentioned Habakkuk 2:1-3. “I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the Lord says and how he will answer my complaint. Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” NLT. He pointed out that when God gives you a vision, you need to write it down so that others can understand it, and to also keep watch for God to bring it into being. But the bit that really resonated with me was the end part, where it says: If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place.
On Sunday evening, we were channel surfing and happened upon Countryfile, who were covering a story about a farmer who had a large herd of camels. What really caught our attention was that they were keeping the camels for their milk, we were slightly unsure as the presenter tasted the milk. Why the thought of camel milk is stranger than cows milk I’m not sure, but the price they were selling the milk at was a real shock! £20 per litre! What came to mind as I watched was the prophetic word we were given about God providing for all our needs and the picture of 7 camels. Here was a story of camels bringing money to these farmers in a way I would never have even dreamt of!
Later that same evening we were sent an online message from one of our prayer partners, who just said that as she’d be praying for us, she’d felt God tell to message us to say that our vision is from the Lord and that she should encourage us. Am I always obedient to God’s prompts for me to contact others with words of encouragement?
On Monday morning, as part of my Bible reading plan, I was reading in the book on Haggai. In it, we see how it’s a careful balance between vision and action, getting that balance right can be as difficult as walking a tightrope. Also in the book we see a constant theme of God saying to the people “Give careful thought”. Vision starts with thinking, grasping in our minds a picture of what could be. Haggai also challenged God’s people about their priorities. And he also challenged me about mine!
Then yesterday in the midst of bringing these thoughts together, I was reminded of one of God’s names Jehovah-Jireh, which means God will provide! Finally, this morning God gave Ruth this verse from Philippians 3:16 “But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.”
In summary I believe that God has been reminding me that we need to continue to work towards the vision God has given us, to keep watch, to keep praying, to keep bringing the vision to Him, and not to forget that we can trust God for all our finances. “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!” Haggai 2:8-9 NLT.
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