Experiencing God's Presence #282

He will tell you about the future.

John 16:13

We hunger for a glimpse of our destiny. That’s why psychics, clairvoyants, and fortune-tellers remain in business. Most of them are frauds, and those who aren’t receive their information from ungodly spirits. But they give hints of the future and stir up expectations, and desperate hearts long for such hope.

The desire to dream is a good and true desire. It was put into us by a Creator who wants us to dream with Him—according to truth. He wants us to see our potential in Him, envision the growth of His Kingdom, and to partner with Him in faith to accomplish it. He is a forward-looking God with great plans and a desire to share them. He longs to give us glimpses of our future.

The psychics and fortune-tellers offer a counterfeit of what the Spirit truly gives. And He gives it to all who believe in Him. Most believers apply this verse to a few select prophets and apostles, but we all have the ability to envision with God. No, He doesn’t tell us everything about the future and satisfy all our curiosity; we still have to walk by faith. But He does guide us into tomorrow, give us cues about what we need to prepare for and what we will need to face, and fill us with pictures of His plans for us.

Don’t quench the dreams and visions the Spirit puts inside of you. Human nature is to subdue our hopes in order to protect ourselves from disappointment, but God gives longings and hopes in order to fulfill them. Jesus’ promise applied not only to a few apostles but to all who would read His Word. The God who knows the future will lead you into yours by giving you glimpses of it. Notice them and follow His lead.

Spirit of God, You know my future and how it fits with Your Kingdom plans. Please show me enough to draw me into Your purposes. Give me God-sized visions that we can fulfill together.

From the book