THE PATIENCE TEST, NO. 5

Patiently waiting upon God is a most rewarding virtue. Each one of us face many challenges, trials, and temptations that assail us almost daily. As men who earnestly desire for God to break through for us it is imperative that we learn this truth and never ever forget it.

It is very obvious that in every battle Israel had to face all throughout their history, they had to first wait upon God to give them the right wisdom and strategy for each battle, or at least obtain His approval, protection, and favor on what they planned to do. If what they planned to do did not have agreement with God, they were meant to patiently wait for God to reveal His will.

For this purpose of divine direction and special revelation concerning God's will He raised up prophets. Their sole ministry was to patiently wait upon God in order to give God's people, both singularly and collectively, His revealed direction and will for them

Without doubt, the ministry of the true prophet is very much needed in the New Testament church today. I believe that our modern day churches have put far too much emphasis on the ministry of the pastor to the detriment of the other ministries, including the prophetic ministry (1 Corinthians 12:28). In this way, the church in a general sense, has deprived itself from necessary warnings, specific exhortation, and direction.

1 Corinthians 14:3: "He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." Read also Acts 2:17, 18 and 21:9-11.

If the early church needed prophets, then surely in this hour of great deception we also need prophets of God. Men, it's high time for us to wait patiently upon God in order for these ministries to arise and take their rightful place in our 21st century church. We are in great danger if we silence the voice of the prophet. Like Philip the evangelist, who had four daughters who prophesied, you are also raising sons and daughters to speak God's Word in this hour. We must learn to think outside the box if the box in which we worship does not line up with the Scriptures.

Acts 2:17, 18: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy."

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell