Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 2:2-3 NIV

Sometimes we wonder: Why do we need to hear prophetic words over and over? Why does it seem like God keeps saying the same things, reminding us of the same truths? If God already said the time is now and He already said the change is happening, why does He keep saying it?

In Habakkuk 2, God told the prophet Habakkuk to write down what God was saying. To make it plain so that a runner could take it and herald it, or proclaim it, to all who would hear, all who would listen. Even though it seemed to take longer than expected.

Maybe even because of it…

I remember when my Dad was having surgery. Things did not seem to be going well. It was taking longer than expected. And there were complications.

What we thought was going to be quick and easy, wasn’t turning out to be.

And later that day, as my mom and I talked, she told me something that I wished she’d have told me earlier: Sandra, when I was praying before your Dad went in to surgery, I really felt like God was saying that He’s calling your Dad up higher.

As soon as she said it, my spirit leapt. I knew it was true. God was calling my Dad up higher. Higher into who he is and who God is for him. Higher into his purpose and destiny. Higher into all God has yet in store for him.

And although I was overjoyed to hear it now, I wished my mom would have told me earlier!

Why? Because if I’d have heard this word from the Lord earlier, all the time I sat in the waiting room wondering what was going on, I would’ve sat in the waiting room rejoicing!

When it started taking longer than expected, instead of getting concerned, I would have rejoiced!

I could have stood on the truth. The prophetic word from the Lord. God, You said You’re calling my Dad up higher. Thank You! I can’t wait to see what that will look like!

You see, that’s so much of what the prophetic is. God speaks a word beforehand, He gives the picture, the vision of what will be, because He knows we’ll need it to hold onto in the waiting. In those moments when hope seems lost – but actually isn’t!

In those times when it seems to get complicated and it seems to be taking way longer than we expected.

Yes, God gives prophetic words because He knows we need them! And He continues to give them, continues to remind us of the words He’s already spoken, especially when it seems to take a long time.

My mom and I still hold onto that prophetic word from the Lord from 2 years ago. When there’s another cancer scare…or when things just don’t seem to be going as we expected.

That’s the beauty of the prophetic! God’s spoken word to each one of us! His encouragement in the moment, and in the moments to come, about those things yet to be seen!

And so today, I encourage you: Grab hold of the prophetic words God has spoken! Those He’s spoken over your life, your family, your workplace, your church, your community, your nation!

Grab hold of them and don’t let them go! Herald them! Declare them out! Allow them to encourage you and embolden you!

Oh yes! God gives prophetic words for a reason! For our comfort and for our hope! For our rejoicing, for our encouragement and for so much more!

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 NIV

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NIV