Psalm 96:1-6
Several years ago (20 years or so), as I was reading the Bible, I happened upon this Psalm and in particular, verse 2-3 seemed to stand out to me. I felt the Lord impressing those verses on my heart although I wasn’t sure what it meant for me. Several people had been telling me I should write a book and I had been praying for the Lord’s direction on that and this seemed to be His answer. I remember thinking, “Each day proclaim the good news…., well maybe He wants me to write a daily devotional book.”
Fast forward to about 5 years ago. As a church, we were stepping out into the digital world and in order for there to be some daily activity on our Facebook page, I decided to start writing a little devotional on different Scriptures. It was also a good way for me to stay engaged reading the Bible. In fact, it has become my first thing I do every morning along with my cup of coffee and letting the dogs out.
About 3 years ago, I was asking the Lord about something related to His purpose for me and He reminded me of these two verses and said, “What do you think you are doing now?” It was only in that moment did I realize the prophetic nature of those two verses in my life.
I love that about God. He has this way of planting things (Scriptures, dreams, visions…) in your spirit to come alive in your life at the right time and then they serve as a confirmation to what you are doing. These daily devotionals are what He was talking about.
I remember someone preaching one time that you will find yourself and your purpose in the Word (the Bible) much like Josiah did. 300 years before he was born, a prophet spoke against the altar at Bethel prophesying that a son named Josiah would be born to the house of David and would desecrate that pagan altar by sacrificing its priests and burning human bones on it (1 Kings 13:1-3).
Josiah was still a young king when the Book of the Law was discovered as they were in the process of restoring the Temple back in his day. What is the chance that he read about himself? What ever he read, it was enough for him to realize the tenuous state of Israel before the Lord and he was quick to bring reform lest God’s anger consume them.
As Josiah was carrying out his reforms, 2 Kings 23:15-20 gives the account of what happened to the altar at Bethel and the fulfillment of the prophecy. The cherry on top was in verse 17-18:
““What is that monument over there?” Josiah asked. And the people of the town told him, “It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and predicted the very things that you have just done to the altar at Bethel!” Josiah replied, “Leave it alone. Don’t disturb his bones.” So they did not burn his bones or those of the old prophet from Samaria.”
2 Kings 23:17-18 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2ki.23.17-18.NLT
That had to be a moment for him!
God has plans for each and every one of us. The details of those plans come alive as we read and spend time with God. There are so many ways He can speak to you and confirm things to you as you journey through this life. I prefer to not do it alone and have my own personal guide in the form of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 16:12-15:
““There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’”
John 16:12-15 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.16.12-15.NLT
Who doesn’t want to know about their future? Look no further than the Holy Spirit whom Jesus sent to guide us! Learn to walk with Him and you will be amazed at the things He shows you!
Fast forward to about 5 years ago. As a church, we were stepping out into the digital world and in order for there to be some daily activity on our Facebook page, I decided to start writing a little devotional on different Scriptures. It was also a good way for me to stay engaged reading the Bible. In fact, it has become my first thing I do every morning along with my cup of coffee and letting the dogs out.
About 3 years ago, I was asking the Lord about something related to His purpose for me and He reminded me of these two verses and said, “What do you think you are doing now?” It was only in that moment did I realize the prophetic nature of those two verses in my life.
I love that about God. He has this way of planting things (Scriptures, dreams, visions…) in your spirit to come alive in your life at the right time and then they serve as a confirmation to what you are doing. These daily devotionals are what He was talking about.
I remember someone preaching one time that you will find yourself and your purpose in the Word (the Bible) much like Josiah did. 300 years before he was born, a prophet spoke against the altar at Bethel prophesying that a son named Josiah would be born to the house of David and would desecrate that pagan altar by sacrificing its priests and burning human bones on it (1 Kings 13:1-3).
Josiah was still a young king when the Book of the Law was discovered as they were in the process of restoring the Temple back in his day. What is the chance that he read about himself? What ever he read, it was enough for him to realize the tenuous state of Israel before the Lord and he was quick to bring reform lest God’s anger consume them.
As Josiah was carrying out his reforms, 2 Kings 23:15-20 gives the account of what happened to the altar at Bethel and the fulfillment of the prophecy. The cherry on top was in verse 17-18:
““What is that monument over there?” Josiah asked. And the people of the town told him, “It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and predicted the very things that you have just done to the altar at Bethel!” Josiah replied, “Leave it alone. Don’t disturb his bones.” So they did not burn his bones or those of the old prophet from Samaria.”
2 Kings 23:17-18 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2ki.23.17-18.NLT
That had to be a moment for him!
God has plans for each and every one of us. The details of those plans come alive as we read and spend time with God. There are so many ways He can speak to you and confirm things to you as you journey through this life. I prefer to not do it alone and have my own personal guide in the form of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 16:12-15:
““There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’”
John 16:12-15 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.16.12-15.NLT
Who doesn’t want to know about their future? Look no further than the Holy Spirit whom Jesus sent to guide us! Learn to walk with Him and you will be amazed at the things He shows you!
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