My Friends-the Prophets

Do you have any friends who are prophets? If you don’t I would strongly suggest you find a few. I have been spending a lot of time lately with my prophet friends. They are a unique breed for sure, not always easy to make friends with. Most of them are extreme introverts and struggle with popular culture.  If they were on twitter or facebook they would be constantly red flagged for their blunt honesty and incorrect political statements.

To be honest it can be really hard hanging out with my prophet friends at times. Their words can burn as the they uncover hidden sin and self-centered strongholds. I don’t always appreciate their judgmental tone and their strong rebukes. Sometimes I want to run out of the room as their prophetic rants feel like open heart surgery and I’m wide awake with no anesthesia.

Yet, over the years I have found their loving discipline and instruction has been exactly what I’ve need to turn me around into the arms of my loving Father. Without their constant loving support I’d quickly slide down a slippery slope of trusting self as god instead of placing my faith in the Sovereign of the Universe; as their wise prophetic words have proven true time and time again, self-trust always leads to self-destruction.

During the last several months here in South Africa I have spent many hours reconnecting and listening to my friends. Seeking their advice about my heart, the pandemic, ministry, and the future. Yes, at times the conversation has been difficult, but also filled with a great sense of hope and expectancy for the future.

Let me give an example from one of my prophet friends.  He is called the weeping prophet, and even wrote a book about crying called Lamentations. You’ve probably heard of him, his name is Jeremiah. He wept over the sin of God’s children, over his own pain, and judgement that was coming. Yet, in the midst of his tears, he found hope in the character of God:

“Yet, I still dare hope when I remember this: 

‘The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By His mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each day.’ I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him! The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for Him and seek Him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD. And it is good for the young to submit to the yoke of His discipline,'” (Lam. 3:21-27).

In fact, all my 16 prophet friends from Isaiah to Malachi point to “my inheritance” found in the gift of my Savior Jesus. They keep telling me “Hope in Him!”  They reveal over and over again not to trust in rulers, governments, armies, money, position, people, but in a Child who has been born, a Son given, He is the one governments of the world rest upon His shoulders:

“The Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father , Prince of Peace. His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David, the passionate commitment of the LORD Almighty will guarantee this!” (Isa. 9:6-7).

I encourage you to invite one of the prophets over this Christmas season. It might not be an easy conversation, but if you listen carefully they will lead you to a place where you will find hope in Sovereign, Loving, Faithful, Forever King, Jesus!