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REFLECTION
“Not all prophecy directive” is the theme for our reflection. Prophecy is the revelation of things yet to happen in the future. “Not all prophecy directive” means that in as much as some prophecies direct us on what we must do to avert danger in the future or to be saved in the future, some prophecies do not direct but simply prepare us to embrace the danger or challenges ahead. We shall reflect on the fact that a prophecy directive can be of advisory and preparatory nature to us if we are determined to endure hardship on account of Christ.

Dear friend, a prophecy may reveal and direct us concerning calamities in the future but when we are determined to endure hardship on account of Christ, we shall perceive the said prophecy as having an advisory effect preparing us for the task ahead. In other words, not all prophecies direct us to escape danger but they will certainly give us knowledge of the danger ahead even as we take the bold decision to embrace the storms ahead. This is exactly, what Paul did. Paul received two prophecies from two different groups of people not to go to Jerusalem. The first prophecy was in Act 21:4, “We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit, they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. (Acts 21:4) Again, Luke reported that Prophet Agabus prophesied to Paul concerning his desire to go to Jerusalem in Act 21:10-11, “After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”. All these prophecies to were warn Paul of the impending danger that lies ahead in Jerusalem yet Paul did not consider the prophecy as directing him to abandon his journey to Jerusalem. The prophecy rather prepared him to be ready to embrace hardship on account of Jesus Christ. Paul replied to Luke and others who also heard the prophecy and were trying to dissuade him from going to Jerusalem, “Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” ¹⁴ When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” (Acts 21:13-14). We have a glimpse of Paul’s suffering and the fulfilment of the prophecy he had before coming to Jerusalem in Act 21:30-36, “The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. ³¹ While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. ³² He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.  ³³ The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. (Acts 21:30-33). Beloved in the Lord not all prophecy may direct us to repent and be saved as Ninevah experienced in Jonah 3:1-10 but some prophecy will simply warn us about the suffering and discomfort we shall encounter in our journey of faith and faithfulness to God.

Jesus, knew that Judas, His own disciples was going to betray Him, prophetically, “Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” ²² The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke…Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” ²⁸ Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him.” (John 13:21-22,27-28). The revelation Jesus had did not direct Him to abandon God’s mission to save the world through His suffering and death. Indeed, at the mount of olives, He “knelt down and prayed, ⁴² saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” ⁴³ And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him” (Luke 22:41-43). Jesus had prepared Himself to go through hardship, agony and suffering to save humanity and to glorify His Father. We find great encouragement from Paul and Jesus’ approach to embrace suffering and endure hardship on account of God even when prophecy has revealed the obvious danger ahead of them.

Many Christians in our time are looking for a prophecy directive to prosperity, wealth and power but are not interested in receiving prophecies that will prepare us to endure suffering on account of our faith in Jesus Christ. Many of us are eager to hear the prophecy of convenience and prosperity but not the prophecy of endurance and discomfort. As a pastor, evangelist, Christian nurse, doctor, teacher or police will you accept the transfer to a deprived town, especially when you have been told about the difficult or challenging situation in that town? Like Paul, we are greatly encouraged to count the cost of discipleship and never relent when the Master calls, for He has promised us that “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven” (Matthew 5:11-12). Again, we are encouraged by Paul’s endurance when said that “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14) Indeed, in his last days in Rome, Paul further assured us through his letter to Timothy that “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8). We pray to be fully prepared and encouraged by prophecies that will prompt us of challenges in the future so that shall endure all suffering and persecution to the glory of God.

In summary, we have deliberated on the theme “not all prophesy directive”. We have come to learn that prophecy directives can be of an advisory and preparatory nature to us if we are determined to endure hardship on account of Christ. May the Lord help to endure suffering to the glory of His name. Shalom.

PRAYER
1. Let us thank God for sustaining our lives even in challenging or difficult times.
2. Let us pray for the spirit of discernment to do God’s will even after we have received a prophecy directive.
3. Let us thank God and also pray for all BECE candidates even as they write their last exams to complete their basic education.

Almighty God, we pray for a sense of purpose and determination to do Your will even after receiving Your voice through prophecies and revelations. Amen.