One of the most shocking aspects of hearing from God is the consistency of the message across many people, across Scripture, and even over many years.
I often imagine that God is so good, He doesn't want to confuse us, so for me, he knows I need to see or hear something a few times before it sinks in that it's God's plan for me.
Anyway, I was reminded of this in a very striking way this past week...
A friend of mine is in some deep water. For months now his family has faced one medical emergency after another.
- His college age daughter threw her back out last week and can't walk days before going abroad.
- His wife has a debilitating illness that doctors can't understand.
- Then on Thursday, another of his daughters was hospitalized suddenly.
It's a constant wave of trials and suffering, and right at the time when his ministry is having a breakthrough.
When someone is in such intense circumstances, it's hard to know what to say. I've even given this brother advice, at his asking, that we both quickly realized was not right, it wasn't God's plan.
So, I'm very careful right now about what I say to him, I want to hear from the Lord first, so as not to distract him with something not from God. As I prayed for him this past week, I got this vision of him, and so I sent him a text about it.
Now, you have to realize, I was nervous about sending this, I mean, he's really in a tender place, his daughter is in the hospital. But it was such a distinct vision, I though, man, if this is from God, maybe it will be helpful to him.
So I sent it.
And then, shortly after, he writes me back to say that, in fact, he's gotten this same vision for over 30 years.
What the heck?!
I mean, seriously, people, this does not happen. Except by the power of the Holy Spirit.