Hearing God in Prophecy Persisting in prophecy

As we look at the impact that hearing God through prophecy can have in our lives, Pete recounts the experience Benjamin, a major in the British Army, had at church one day.

‘I was surprised to see this athletic young officer, normally so positive and impressive, doubled up and weeping profusely. I made a beeline for him at the end of the meeting and asked if he was okay.

‘More than okay!’ he said, beaming and drying his eyes. ‘God has just spoken to me more clearly than ever before!’ …He’d... been feeling frustrated at work – unrecognized by his superiors – and knew that he needed to trust God, not human beings, for military advancement. ...A stranger had sidled up to him with what he thought might be a word from God. The phrase he had in his head, he said rather apologetically, seemed random and he honestly didn’t know what on earth it might mean. Pausing, he cleared his throat and said three words: ‘Glasgow is irrelevant.’

And that was the moment Benjamin broke down, weeping uncontrollably. Even as he recounted it to me, he started filling up again.

...‘Glasgow is shorthand,’ he said. ‘...Every soldier in the British Army knows what Glasgow means because it’s where our Army Personnel Centre is based... It’s the administrative centre for our entire careers.’

Slowly, I began to nod.

‘We’ll often say, “Glasgow has given me orders,” or, “I need to talk to Glasgow.” That man may not have known what it meant, ...but God just spoke to me in Army language. ...a complete stranger... just told me three words that could not have been more apt: Glasgow is irrelevant. I must trust God more than the Army Personnel Centre!’’

‘When a thought, a phrase or a picture comes into our heads, those seeking to grow in the prophetic will often wonder, ‘Is this just me, or is it God?’ I’d be very surprised indeed if that man prophesying to Benjamin that day didn’t ask himself this question. And at the point of such uncertainty, the ABC filter helps to eliminate impressions that probably aren’t from the Lord. …I’m sure you’ll agree that a few mistakes… are a small price to pay for anyone whose ‘earnest desire’ is to grow in this wonderful, life-changing gift.’

Lord, I want to bring your encouragement to the people around me. I bring a loved one to mind and ask you for an encouragement for them. Help me to be bold and obedient in sharing what I hear.

Amen.