Over time, how the year begins and ends for most believers has been predicated upon what God is saying for the year (which some call The Prophetic Word for the Year) which serves as a guide in taking discreet decisions for the year. All over Nigeria, you will find many concerned people eagerly waiting on the 31st of December through to the 1st of January or sometimes even earlier for the unfolding of the prophetic Word for the New Year from their various personal altars, churches or other ministries they submit themselves to. But with the experiences of recent times especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic; several people seem to have given up on whatever God is saying concerning the year. They now live their lives on their terms. Of course, how would you explain to anyone that a year prophesied of being a year of heavy harvest, year of perfection, divine elevation, unprecedented exploits, rest, clear vision, supernatural shift, dominion, open doors, not by might not by power but by the spirit, breaking limits, greater glory (believersportal.com) and other shared revelations by so many well-respected ministries could not capture the hunger, depression, loss of hope, increased banditry, high rate of mortality due to Covid-19 and the suddenly crumbled businesses of auspicious entrepreneurs?
Aside from that, you could have heard lamentations like,
“If all they have been saying hasn’t been true, why should I believe whatever they think God said in 2022”, “If God so loved us as He claimed, why do we need to go through hard times?”
Have you checked out this book almost everyone is talking about: The Clarion Call by Joshua Sule
You would have also noticed that the year 2022 is just days counting but many beloved ones have been bereaved, some have lost their jobs, some have lost their relationships, and some have no funds to pay school fees, food to eat or a house to stay in. Many are still seeking jobs. The list goes on and on and on.
“Should I still believe that this year will be fine?”
Do you still believe that this year has a lot in store for you? Do you still believe that God will do what He says He will do?
Yes! Please, still do.
Heaven and earth will pass away but His word will not pass away.
“God is not a man that He should lie; neither a son of man that He should repent: hath he said and shall he not do it? Or hath He spoken and shall He not make it good? Numbers 23:19 KJV)
I love the way the songwriter, Nathaniel Bassey ft. Chandler Moore and Oba put the chorus of the song OLURUN AGBAYE -YOU ARE MIGHTY:
If you have said it, then you will do it
‘Cause you have a track record of keeping to your word
And you are not about to stop doing it now
Did you hear that?
GOD HAS A TRACK RECORD OF KEEPING TO HIS WORD
It does matter what you have started experiencing now, it is for a moment. It is just the dark night of the soul.
There are also moments you will feel He is many miles away, it is profitable to remember that,
“Any relationship involves times of closeness and times of distance and in a relationship with God, no matter how intimate; the pendulum will swing from one side to the other” Philip Yancey
There are days that you will go through fire and men will ride upon your head but know that He will bring you to a place of abundance.
Jesus shared a mystery while He communicated the parable of the sower. He said the reason why the seed that was sown on the stony ground didn’t yield fruit was because, “…when they heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves and so endure but for a time; afterwards, when afflictions or persecutions ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended” Mark 4:16-17KJV
Did you also see that? It was for the Word’s sake that the afflictions or trials came.
There are some afflictions or persecutions that arise in your journey with God because of what He is doing or has spoken concerning you.
There are times oppositions are signs that you are making progress.
Don’t allow the devil to tamper with what God intends to do with you.
Whilst the Israelites were faced with the Red Sea and the Warriors of the Egyptians, God didn’t dry up the Red Sea. He made a way through it.
Say these words with me: THIS YEAR, I HAVE DECIDED THAT GOD’S PLANS FOR MY LIFE MUST COME TO PASS. HIS WORD MUST ACCOMPLISH WHAT IT WAS SENT TO DO IN MY LIFE THIS YEAR AND BEYOND. I AM NOT GIVING UP ON WHAT HE SAID CONCERNING ME.
I will end with these profound words of V. Raymond Edman:
“Never doubt in the dark what God said in the light”
Here are enriching and popular articles published by Joshua Sule:
Work
21 Days in Camp.
You Are Not Barren You Are Special.
The Journey With The Spoken Word Poet.
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