A story is told of a young man whose dream was to be on television. This young man had a speech impediment. He was a stammerer. One day the teacher asked them to write on a piece of paper what they would like to be when they grow up and the boy wrote what he always dreamed to become. The next day when the boy showed the teacher the paper, the teacher laughed out loud knowing the boy’s speech impediment and asked him to be more realistic. Not only did she shatter the boy’s dream but she humiliated him in front of the other students. When the boy went home, the father saw how dejected his son was and asked him what it was all about. The boy then disclosed to his father what had transpired and he had this to say, “Son write on another piece of paper what the teacher would like to see and give it to the teacher. But this one I want you to put it somewhere special and every night before you sleep, I want you to take it out and read it.” The boy’s name is Steve Harvey, a successful comedian and accomplished TV host.
The bible says in the book of Jeremiah; For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. This was written at a time when the Israelites were taken into captivity by the Babylonians. There was a king by the name Nebby short for Nebuchadnezzar. It is funny how when things look so dark God reminds us of His unfailing Word of hope to us. In the middle of captivity, the Jews were told start building houses and live in them, to start families and establish themselves.
I always think that having faith in God equates to madness. There is a story of a man who saw rain in a time of drought. The sun was up high and no cloud in sight. He kept on telling his servant to go back again and check if there was any sign of rain and the servant would obey. “What would it hurt?” the servant thought. At the sign of merely a small cloud, the size of a man’s hand, the man had the audacity to order that they prepare for abundance of rain.
This is the year that God will establish His word in your life. You will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. God has gone before you and knows what He has in store for you this year. Go out there and build houses and live in them. Increase in number and do not be afraid for God is Jehovah Jireh. Work your faith and put your feet into the river Jordan and the water will part. Run and prepare your land for the rain is coming. This is the year for dreamers and having to see their dreams come true. Only believe!
God bless you.