TAKING HOLD OF HOPE

[Albert Finch]

"Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be." - Romans 4:18

HOPE - DEFINITION

Hope: To look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence; to believe, desire, or trust; to feel that something desired is going happen.

A significant element to being in hope is looking forward to something and to feel as though "that something" we are believing for WILL ACTUALLY HAPPEN. This ability to actually feel as though something is going to happen before it actually does is in direct relationship to Hebrews 11:1, which states: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

So this Scripture clearly tells us that when we believe God for something – hope is a key element to how we experience something coming to pass. No matter what it is that we desire from God, we must actually expect and look forward to it coming to pass. This means that if we do not really expect and look forward to God doing what we have asked Him for, we will not experience a manifestation of our desire.

HOW HOPE RELATES TO PROPHECY

We as the receivers of personal prophecy have a part to play in experiencing the fulfillment of the prophetic word. Some prophecies don't come to pass – not because the prophet missed it, but rather because the receiver failed to access it by faith (hope and belief).

When speaking of our faith and how it relates to receiving God's Word either by Scripture or prophecy, Mark 4 explains three reasons why prophetic words do not come to pass:

1. Some people hear the prophetic word but satan steals the word from them.

"And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts" (Mark 4:15).

Many people never experience the manifestation of the prophetic word that they receive because satan steals that word from them. For example, God may give some specific direction(s) in their prophecy, but because that person did not honor the prophecy, it went in one ear and out the other. Consequently, the prophecy never comes to pass.

2. Some people become offended. Offense kills the manifestation of a prophetic word.

"And these are they (prophetic words) likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they (the person receiving the prophecy) have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended" (Mark 4:16-17).

People may receive a prophetic word, but then when trials and tribulations come, they become offended. Once they become offended they disqualify themselves from the prophetic blessing. It is practically impossible to receive God's blessings when you are offended.

Interestingly, in this parable in Mark 4, the Scriptures explain that the afflictions that we encounter come specifically to try and kill the prophetic word from coming to pass in our life. So, if you experience warfare after you receive a prophetic word, rejoice! This means you are right on track for receiving your blessing! The enemy is in hot pursuit to steal your word. But don't let him do it. Continue to stand on the Word!

3. Broken Focus Causes Prophecy to Fall to the Ground.

"And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word. And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful." - Mark 4:18-19

Our own broken focus can cause the manifestation of a prophetic word to fall to the ground and not come to pass. This broken focus usually happens when we allow the lusts for things that are opposed to God's purpose for our lives begin to occupy our time and take us off course.  Jesus admonishes to us that if we get caught up in worldly riches and desires; i.e. things that are opposed to God's purpose for our lives, our soul can become defiled.  When this happens, we began to move away from God's purposes and get off course. Getting off course with God's PURPOSE for our life can delay, or even disqualify us from receiving the manifestation of the prophetic word.

THE MANIFESTATION OF PROPHECY COMES FROM EXPECTATION

As Jesus finished explaining the parable of the sower, He gives a clear explanation on how to receive God's promises.
"And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred" - (Mark 4:20).

When we receive the word of God, whether the promises of His Scriptures or prophecy, Jesus says that we will receive a thirtyfold, sixty-fold or even a hundred-fold harvest. In order to receive anything from God, whether His promises from Scripture or even prophecy, we must receive the word with hope (expectation and excitement that it's going to happen), along with an assurity in our heart that what God has said is really going to come to pass.

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY