[This is one in a series of mid-week Reflections published by Horley Baptist Church during June 2020]
Last week I mentioned a number of Old Testament prophets. In reading through the books that bear their names one aspect stood out. They each begin with a word or vision from the Lord. Even Jonah, whose story is well-known to us, starts by acknowledging a word from the Lord. Are we open to hearing a word from the Lord or would we, like Jonah, prefer that He doesn’t rock the boat?
Contrast this with the situation that pertained earlier in the history of Israel. The first book of Samuel tells us “In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.” Is this one of the symptoms of a society that has lost touch with God?
In his recent Pentecost sermon and supplementary video, Chris Tilling referred to the apostle Peter’s quotation from Joel:
“I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” Joel 2 v28
How was someone who was perceived as an uneducated fisherman able to quote the words of a prophet with such an effect on his listeners? It can only be by the power of the Holy Spirit. To what extent are we willing to trust that same power when called to step out in faith?
In our pseudo-sophisticated society we tend to be sceptical about those claiming to have a vision or word from the Lord. Perhaps quite rightly so; in this ‘doomsday’ period there are many who claim to have insider knowledge. The apostle Paul encouraged his audience to examine the Scriptures to verify what is being said; we should do the same.
Jesus Himself told us to be aware of the signs of the times but He also said that even He did not know when the end times would come. Rather than speculating about the meaning of everything perhaps we should take encouragement from what God has already said:
“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls.” Joel 2 v32
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © the Author
