Daniel 4:28-29 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later …

I have considerable confidence that I’ve never written on this before, because to my knowledge I’ve never even underlined it. However, it struck me just now, so I’ll see what the Lord will say about it. The thing that stands out to me is that the fulfillment of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream came 12 months after he had it and Daniel interpreted it. At the time, He was probably shaken and probably thought about it a good bit, but over the next year he forgot about it completely, which brought about its fulfillment. The prophecies of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, burial, and resurrection took hundreds of years before they were fulfilled, but they were fulfilled none the less. We have such short memories! I am reminded of the prophecies David Wilkerson gave not so many years ago. The 9/11 attack could easily be a partial fulfillment, but there was much more. Unless America repents, there is much worse to come. God usually gives an interval between a prophecy and its fulfillment to test and grow our faith. If we really believe and trust Him, the bad stuff is averted and the good stuff happens, but if we go our way and ignore him, the opposite takes place. America, and indeed the world, is in a very dangerous place right now. What happens depends on the degree of humility, repentance, and simple obedience of God’s people. God has marvelous things in store if we listen and obey, but if we fail to do so we will reap the fruit of our rebellion, and it won’t be pretty at all.

Several years ago there were repeated prophecies of a tsunami hitting Japan, but when the big one hit in 2011, everyone was taken off guard. Those prophecies emphasized that it would be a tsunami of God’s grace, and indeed many have come to salvation in an area that had seen very little fruit up to that point. However, the fact remains that there was massive devastation, and many people lost their opportunity to repent and believe. On the other side of the spectrum, I have received marvelous prophecy of fruit in my ministry, yet I have seen little of it to this point. I am to ponder what God has told me and look forward to its fulfillment, not giving up or even growing weary, but anticipating joyfully what God is going to do for His glory.

Father, thank You for this Word this morning. Thank You for this conference, and for getting us here safely. In last night’s session I was able to absorb very little because I felt so exhausted. Thank You for the good, solid night’s sleep. Thank you that your mercies are indeed new every morning! I pray that Cathy and I would receive all that You want to pour into us over these few days, and that we would be available for however You might want to bless others through us. I ask that You enable us both to lift our eyes to see You and what You are doing, in glorious praise, worship, and faith, to be transformed into the instruments, the representatives, the children that You desire, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!