Looking Ahead…
Today marks the end of 2020, it vanishes into the sea of time. We look ahead to 2021 – no doubt wondering what it will hold. Prophets forecast many things in 2020 that have caused the Body of Christ to wonder who is actually prophesying the Word of the Lord. Prophets are judged by the Words they give that actually come to pass – yet we know many prophecies given in the Old Testament still have not come to pass. So how do we judge an accurate Word? Consider this:
Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he [stopped me and] said to me, "You must not do that; I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers and sisters who have and hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God [alone]. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy [His life and teaching are the heart of prophecy]." Revelation 19:10 (AMP)
The angel of the Lord did not want to be worshipped for giving a Word; they recognized their place as a servant. Giving a Word does not place one in a place to be worshipped. As the angel of the Lord spoke, "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy’; the Amplified explaining – "the life and teaching of Jesus are the heart of prophecy"! You want to get a glimpse into 2021 – read the Words of Jesus. Bask on the Sermon on the Mount, study His parables, glean from the words of John in the teachings Jesus gave His disciples.
These WORDS are a fit forecast for any and every season. They don’t get old. They don’t fail. They are alive with hope and promise! They don’t fail to tell us that "many are the afflictions of the righteous"; but they also let us know "the Lord will deliver us from them all"!(Psalm 34:19) In one of the final words to His disciples, Jesus told them:
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. John 15:20 (KJV)
However, He also said this:
"…and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:20 (KJV)
The question is not what is going to happen, but is it settled with you that He will be there, in the good, in the challenging; in the winter season, in the spring. When I am questioning my uncertain future I often hear the words of Bill Gaither’s infamous song:
How sweet to hold
A new born baby
And feel the pride
And the joy that he gives
But greater still that calm assurance
We can face uncertain days
(Holding)
We can face uncertain days
Because he lives
Sing it with us
And because he lives I can face tomorrow
Because he lives all fear is gone
Because I know he holds the future
And life is worth the living just because he lives…
Songwriters: Bill Gaither / Gloria L Gaither Because He Lives lyrics © Warner/chappell Edicoes Musicais Ltda, Gaither Music Co., Gaither Music Co. Inc., Hanna Street Music
Yes, because HE lives – we can fact the future. Knowing He goes before us to light our path, we can walk into 2021 with expectancy that it will be a very good year!
Praying the New Year in…
Maria