When God speaks something to us; a promise from His word, reveals what He is planning, or ignites or reignites a dream in our hearts we need to protect it. It’s like being pregnant with a promise from heaven.
God takes being pregnant both literally and figuratively very seriously, and similarly, as with any pregnancy there are risks and things to be aware of and if need be avoided to protect that new life. It's especially important when life lets us down to hold onto God's promise/s.
God even silenced a guy named Zechariah who questioned the angel regarding the validity of his wife Elizabeth (John the Baptist's mum) being able to be pregnant in her old age. It was so important that he be positive and faith-filled about this particular word from the angel Gabriel delivered that when Zechariah queried God’s ability God caused him not to be able to speak until John was born. His negative, cynical, doubting words obviously would have affected Elizabeth’s pregnancy and she and the baby she carried could do without the fear and doubts of what God had said were possible. (Luke 1:10-20 NIV).
As in any pregnancy, the “promise” and words God speaks get bigger and bigger on the inside of us. I’m always saying I’m “bigger on the inside”…. I know what God has said and I endeavour to keep building into that by taking care of the promises, the dreams and words that have been conceived in faith within me by focusing on God’s word.
Our faith and patience go to work until that which we believe is “birthed”.
As I’ve given birth six times I have some advice while waiting for “delivery day”. It’s important to:
Protect and enable that promise to grow. Determine to be mindful of what you speak, hear, and listen to, and don’t let go of the visions and dreams because they seem to be taking a long time to come to pass.
Do what you can do and then let God do the rest as you prepare for what is coming and what that might look like for your life and circumstances.
Choose to be ready rather than scrambling to get ready
Trust the process and don’t allow circumstances, negative voices or the world around you to crowd out what you know in your heart. Once you have peace about things don’t let go of it and if you find yourself stressed, go and find your peace again.
God is alert and active watching over his word to perform it. “He says, “
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.
It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” (Isaiah 55;8-11)
It’s by faith and patience that we inherit the promises so I encourage you to hold onto what He has spoken, revealed and imparted into your heart, trusting that He will bring it to pass at the appointed time. (Hebrews 6:12).
GOING DEEPER - NEW EPISODE
You can also listen to my podcast Going Deeper. Check out this week's episode "What Pleases God, Do You Know?"
This episode of Going Deeper dives into "What pleases God” and discovers that He doesn’t want our sacrifices or for us to beat ourselves up, or struggle and strife to be good enough. We don’t have to have it all together, or even look spectacular. He doesn't need it!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the promises you have spoken to me. Please help me to continue to do what I can do and trust the rest to you and your perfect timing. I stand in faith and patience trusting that you will perfect all that concerns me. In Jesus Name Amen.