Text: 2 Kings 3: 11-12

11 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?  And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.   12 And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him.   So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.  

Friday, 15^th November 2024

GIFT OF UTTERANCE prophecy

Text: 2 Kings 3: 11-12

Memory verse: 2 Kings 17: 13 Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophet.

This gift of the Holy Spirit is one that the scripture calls us to specially desire. This gift is a direct Word from the Lord to be given to someone else to edify and build them up. The gift of prophecy is a special ability to speak forth the message of God. A prophet is basically a spokesman for God. He or she delivers the Word of God to people by means of direct revelation. Prophetic utterances can deal with certain individuals, the church, or in a larger context. It does not always refer to the future. The word is used far more to proclaim the Word of God rather than to predict the future. There are several observations that we can make about this gift.

Prophecy is the gift that God uses to convict His people of sin and their need for repentance. Prophecy today is the Holy-Spirit-empowered ability to speak God’s Word, the truth into a situation, calling them to turn back to God, warning of the consequences of not doing so, and reminding people of God’s promises and of His justice and judgment. Knowing the right timing to speak a word from God depends on the person with the gift of prophecy being prayerful and sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading.

Although the focus of questions around the spiritual gift of Prophecy usually is about future telling, the primary role of the prophet was not and is not this focus.  Even when prophets were able to tell people what would happen, the message was always to correct, to encourage to repent, and for teaching.  Always, the prophet’s message is to return people to a right relationship with God.

At times, prophets may see visions or dream dreams that God will infuse with meaning and prophets will need to explain or translate the sense to those listening. Whenever someone claims to have the gift of prophecy, it should always be put to the same test as other gifts.  Words said by a prophet are always consistent with God’s Word and His character. Spiritual maturity and fruit of the Spirit should be evident in how the prophet lives and delivers messages.  God’s use of a prophet is out of loving concern for His people and the prophet conveys that love as well.

CGDS HYMN 27: SS&S 

THERE'S A LIGHT THAT IS SHINING IN DRKNESS

1. There's a light that is shining in darkness,

While we wait for the dawning of day;

And it cheers us along on our journey,

Till the shadows shall vanish away !

2. So we'll wait and watch for the dawning,

The day of eternity blest;

Then take the wings of the morning,

And fly away to our rest.

3. From the sure word the prophets

have spoken, [the gloom;

There is light flashing forth through

For the Scripture can never be broken,

And the King in His glory will come.

4. Now we sing 'mid the darkness and shadows, ;

And we pray and we watch for the dawn

Till the Day-star, in glory arising,

Shall betoken the coming of morn.

His Second Coming

5. We are not of the night nor of darkness,

Let us walk, then, as children of day;

Our weeping shall be for a moment,

And our joy shall ne'er vanish away !

  Prayers 

1.  Lord Jesus, use me as a channel of Spiritual manifestations through the gift of prophesy.

2.  LORD God Almighty, give me the gift of discerning different prophecies through Your word in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.