God may reveal His plan long before it's fulfilled. The waiting time is a purging time, pruning time, and preparation time.
When Pastor Joy gave us this word, I had two immediate internal reactions:
1) Yeah, God revealed some things years ago and I'm still waiting to see them manifested.
2) I don't know how much more pruning I can take; I feel like there's nothing left but stump.
But, as I thought a bit longer, I found myself encouraged. If Joseph endured and overcame not only his sufferings, but also the temptation to take revenge on his persecutors, then I can do the same. So can you.
It's funny. We like to sing "Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary pure and holy, tried and true," but sometimes we get upset if God's prep schedule is longer than we're willing to wait... and we get even more upset if people ruin our lives in the process. But God loves us! His way, which is perfect, is not designed to frustrate us. His word is sent to bolster us and to give us strength to endure, even if our world is turned upside down while we wait for revelation to become fulfillment.
Here's a little project for today:
*Write down the thing(s) that God has promised you that (to date) remain unfulfilled.
*Write down the name(s) of the individual(s) who are actively working against the word(s) that God gave you.
*Forgive the person (or persons), and thank God for working out His perfect will in each of you.
*Wait on the Lord's timing and placement. What He has said, He will do.
Pastor Joy shared, "Absolutely nothing comes to us unless it crosses God's desk." There is such a thing as Divine delay. There is such a thing as ordained opposition. Does it feel good? Of course not. But we can remain hopeful in God; at His appointed time, He will bring His word to pass.
Saints, be encouraged. God will give you His grace to endure the purging, pruning, and preparation.
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