Your Father is faithful. He is a keeper of promises, and He is watching over His word in your life, to fulfil it. [1]
I believe God is speaking to many of you who are waiting for a specific prophetic word—a personal promise from Him—to be fulfilled.
- The answer has not come as quickly as you initially expected, instead, there has been what seems to be a prolonged time of preparation
Perhaps you are finding it difficult to see what lies ahead. It may even seem—at times—as though the opposite of your prophetic word is taking place.
You can be assured that behind the scenes, your Father is at work.
Night Before Dawn: Your Faith is Under Trial
Sometimes, God leads us by a way that is not of our choosing. It is a journey in which we experience a cost for our obedience. Our faith comes under trial.
If you can relate to that today, be encouraged by this story from 2 Kings chapter 3.
The kings of Israel, Judah and Edom are taking their armed forces out against Moab. After seven days of marching in the wilderness, there is no water for them or their animals. Jehoshaphat, King of Judah says, ‘Is there a prophet?’
Into this dire situation, the prophet Elisha brings a prophecy:
‘Thus says the Lord, make this valley full of ditches. You won’t see wind, and you won’t see rain and yet this valley is going to be filled with water…’ (2 Kings 3:16)
There is disparity between some Bible translations, because they were positioned in a valley, and a dry riverbed could have received the water. Yet the Hebrew word translated ditches does mean something dug. [2]
In this period of time, between the problem experienced and the promise revealed, God calls on them to dig by faith.
To exert effort. And then wait a whole night through. Think about this for a moment:
These people have had a seven day march. They have no water. They are faced with a physically demanding battle ahead.
Between the promise declared and the promise fulfilled there is a trial of faith; there is a gap.
A tired, thirsty, dark night of a gap.
Perhaps you relate to this today. You are waiting on God for a promised provision, change or breakthrough.
In the interim, you are digging. You are persevering under trial.
But dawn is on the way.
You are Participating with God in the Fulfilment of His Promise
There are times when God simply requires us to receive, or to wait. But most of the time, he will call on us to participate with him in the fulfilment of His promises.
- Esther fasts, risks her life and prepares two banquets before she overcomes the enemy Haman
- Nehemiah must lead, labor and endure threats before Jerusalem’s walls are rebuilt
Many times God gives instructions that must be followed, and then, following a time of perseverance, the breakthrough takes place.
Simply waiting and receiving is one manifestation of God‘s grace—His undeserved favor.
- But it is equally a manifestation of His grace that He gives us the honour of participating with Him. Of being with Him. Of co-labouring with Him.
Such grace! That we have the privilege of being empowered to rise up and possess his promise. That we would know the fellowship and anointing of the Holy Spirit!
It is grace that He trusts us with His promises. And this is also grace:
He values your faith so highly that He allows circumstances to bring forth gold.
Surrender Completely
Yes, there is weariness and there is labour. Yes, there is a dark night in which the answer cannot be perceived, except by faith.
- But the dawn is on its way. And with it, the heavenly answer.
When daylight comes, so does the water. At the time of the morning sacrifice.
At that final moment of offering, a flash flood sweeps through the valley. It fills the dry riverbed and the ditches prepared for the water.
Today, be encouraged. Receive a fresh anointing from the Holy Spirit.
Your endurance heralds the dawn and the beginning of great miracles. The enemy is being overcome, and God will get the glory.
Notes
[1] See Deut 7:9, Josh 21:45, Jer 1:12
[2] See for example differences between NIV and NKJV translations
Strongs H1356, geb, ‘a log (as cut out); also well or cistern (as dug):—beam, ditch, pit.’
Also used in Jer 14:3
© 2018 Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching
Enliven Ministries
A part of the David McCracken Ministries family
Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.
Helen I tried to tell you thank you with a picture of a cross with water splases but I see that the pictures turned into question marks. So sorry…….thank you from the bottom of my heart! May God continue to keep and bless you and your family.
I love emojis and use them all the time, it’s disappointing WordPress doesn’t recognize them!
Thank you so much Lisa <3 :-)
I have a disabled daughter that we have been praying for for years – particularly that she will speak. We have recieved so many prophetic words / dreams that she will speak and yet we are still waiting…. God has opened doors for special therapies etc.. that we have been doing faithfully and seeing some results but we don’t want anything we do to get the glory – we want it to be a miracle of God so that he gets all the glory! It has been a testing few years with some very low points where I got tired of digging. But the last few weeks she has been babbling more and making sounds and last night said “I love you” for the first time – She’s 6. We haven’t heard any more words today so I called her therapist who encouraged me not to give up hope…
…and then I opened my inbox and this word was in there. God has spoken very clearly to me today through your word so thank you!
So beautiful Tara, what precious words to hear from her! I join my prayers with you now, for every vital connection, even at the micro level, physically needed for your daughter to speak, to experience life-giving, resurrection power in Jesus’ Name. May those first few words turn into the babbling brook and into the river you have been dreaming of.
Thank you Helen. You are spot on – that was one of the most recent prophetic words I was given – a babbling brook that turned into t a flowing river. Amazing. I love how God works!
I love that, Tara!
Thank you God for using Helen to shine a light in a darkened place. Like those weary travellers, I have just clme through a dark placee and have claimed, by the authority of the Holy Spirit, the prophetic words spoken. After all, I am a daughter of an awe inspiring King. Bless you
Yes you are the daughter of the King… amen Valmai <3
Thank you for the encouraging word. I’ve standing on God’s promises of Native American and couples ministry, marriage, restoration of my family and a house. Its been a long trial and testing. I was down and doubting this message lifted my spirit. Pray for the Lord to manifest in the natural his promises. Thank you.
This word is so refreshing and encouraging to me. I am currently faced with a peculiar situation and felt like giving up but this prophetic word has come at the right time to strengthen me. God bless you for sending such a word.
I am so blessed by this. I have been trusting God for the fulfillment of his word over my marital destiny . I know God is speaking to me through this. I am encouraged and my faith is now revived. thank you.