“Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24, ESV)
Not only can God know the thoughts of your heart, God can see your future clearly. God knows what you will face. In a few precious moments, you may be given a glimpse of your future, a looming need, or an omen. Don’t be surprised if God doesn’t clue you in to what lies over the horizon. God has already seen it. God has already made plans for that future time. Why does it surprise people that some are given a glimpse of the future? Why should it shock the faithful that prophets can see what is coming? God sees it. And sometimes, God shares it. And sometimes, God takes care of a future issue before you even fully comprehend it.
“Occasionally God answers our prayers before we offer them. William Tyndale put his life at risk when he decided to translate the Bible into the English language during the days of King Henry VIII. The church and government opposed him, but he told one clergyman, “If God spare my life, I will cause the boy that driveth the plough to know more of the Scripture than thou dost.” On October 6, 1536 he was burned at the stake for his efforts. His last words were, “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes.”
He perished without knowing the Lord had already answered his prayer—one year earlier, almost to the very day. The answer? Miles Coverdale. Born in 1488, Coverdale came under the influence of Robert Barnes at Cambridge who discussed ideas “out of Germany” with him. When Coverdale picked up the Bible and began reading it for himself, he fell in love with it.
Soon he began preaching an evangelical message. It proved impossible for him in England, so he fled to the Continent where he spent seven years translating the Bible from Latin into English for his own people. It was published in 1535, the first complete edition of the Bible in English. He wisely dedicated it to King Henry VIII, who, being flattered, allowed it to become the first English rendering of Scripture to circulate without official hindrance—thus answering Tyndale’s prayer one year in advance.
On the 4th of October, 1535, the first complete printed English version of the Bible was published under his direction.” (Robert J. Morgan, On This Day, October 4).
God knew the Bible needed an English translation. Through men like Tyndale and Coverdale, that job was completed even before some in the western world realized it needed to be done.
God’s ability to see your needs before you do, to see possibilities before humanly possible, is demonstrated in our scripture for today. The prophet Isaiah wrote down God’s words: “Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24). This verse of the Bible declares that God can clearly see a future need, a future prayer, a looming issue… and do something about it. God accomplishes far more than you can perceive.
It is possible, at times, for faithful people to see what God sees. They get dialed into the future. Their eyes are opened to what is to come. They might prophesy. They might work toward tomorrow. They are given the opportunity to put God’s insight to great use.
Think about it. Long before the flood, Noah built the ark (Genesis 9:8). Joseph perceived the seven years of famine years before it occurred. He spurred the Egyptians to store away provisions for that famine long before it came (Genesis 41). Before Jesus was arrested and sentenced to die, He warned His disciples about His impending death and resurrection (Luke 24:6-7). Over and over in the Bible, God prepared the faithful for what was coming. God gave them visions and insights of how to prepare for what was to come.
Why wouldn’t God do the same with you?
I was surprised to see a man in the last pew during worship one Sunday. Why? He hadn’t been to worship in the previous five years I was at that church. As the service ended, I shook his hand warmly and welcomed him whole-heartedly. I saw him again the next week and the next. He didn’t miss a Sunday of worship for the next several months.
One Sunday, I noticed he was at the church early. He was one of the first to grace the pews that Sunday morning. I went to the Sanctuary to get communion ready and saw him seated again in the back pew. I walked over, shook his hand, and welcomed him. Just as I turned to get back to my preparations, I had this feeling I should ask him something. It was the Holy Spirit prompting me. I asked, “Earl, why have you come back to worship these past few months? Are you Ok?” He smiled and simply said, “I had this feeling, Pastor. I felt like God was telling me to make some things right. I don’t know why but I have this gut feeling that my life is ending. I know I’m only 52 and I’m not sick. It doesn’t make sense, but I just think God is preparing me for something.” I have heard stories like this several times from people. God was giving them a glimpse of the future. A year later, Earl was diagnosed with cancer. Three months later, he died. I do believe God gave Earl time to make things right. I do believe God warned him of his impending death and was preparing him for what was to come. I am so glad that Earl listened to that still small voice nagging at his soul and came back to God.
God knows what you need before you need it. God can answer a prayer even before it is uttered. God can also show you a glimpse of your future. Every now and then God does this to help you prepare, to help you cope, to save or protect you. Is there something in your future God is showing you today?
“Occasionally God answers our prayers before we offer them. William Tyndale put his life at risk when he decided to translate the Bible into the English language during the days of King Henry VIII. The church and government opposed him, but he told one clergyman, “If God spare my life, I will cause the boy that driveth the plough to know more of the Scripture than thou dost.” On October 6, 1536 he was burned at the stake for his efforts. His last words were, “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes.”
He perished without knowing the Lord had already answered his prayer—one year earlier, almost to the very day. The answer? Miles Coverdale. Born in 1488, Coverdale came under the influence of Robert Barnes at Cambridge who discussed ideas “out of Germany” with him. When Coverdale picked up the Bible and began reading it for himself, he fell in love with it.
Soon he began preaching an evangelical message. It proved impossible for him in England, so he fled to the Continent where he spent seven years translating the Bible from Latin into English for his own people. It was published in 1535, the first complete edition of the Bible in English. He wisely dedicated it to King Henry VIII, who, being flattered, allowed it to become the first English rendering of Scripture to circulate without official hindrance—thus answering Tyndale’s prayer one year in advance.
On the 4th of October, 1535, the first complete printed English version of the Bible was published under his direction.” (Robert J. Morgan, On This Day, October 4).
God knew the Bible needed an English translation. Through men like Tyndale and Coverdale, that job was completed even before some in the western world realized it needed to be done.
God’s ability to see your needs before you do, to see possibilities before humanly possible, is demonstrated in our scripture for today. The prophet Isaiah wrote down God’s words: “Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24). This verse of the Bible declares that God can clearly see a future need, a future prayer, a looming issue… and do something about it. God accomplishes far more than you can perceive.
It is possible, at times, for faithful people to see what God sees. They get dialed into the future. Their eyes are opened to what is to come. They might prophesy. They might work toward tomorrow. They are given the opportunity to put God’s insight to great use.
Think about it. Long before the flood, Noah built the ark (Genesis 9:8). Joseph perceived the seven years of famine years before it occurred. He spurred the Egyptians to store away provisions for that famine long before it came (Genesis 41). Before Jesus was arrested and sentenced to die, He warned His disciples about His impending death and resurrection (Luke 24:6-7). Over and over in the Bible, God prepared the faithful for what was coming. God gave them visions and insights of how to prepare for what was to come.
Why wouldn’t God do the same with you?
I was surprised to see a man in the last pew during worship one Sunday. Why? He hadn’t been to worship in the previous five years I was at that church. As the service ended, I shook his hand warmly and welcomed him whole-heartedly. I saw him again the next week and the next. He didn’t miss a Sunday of worship for the next several months.
One Sunday, I noticed he was at the church early. He was one of the first to grace the pews that Sunday morning. I went to the Sanctuary to get communion ready and saw him seated again in the back pew. I walked over, shook his hand, and welcomed him. Just as I turned to get back to my preparations, I had this feeling I should ask him something. It was the Holy Spirit prompting me. I asked, “Earl, why have you come back to worship these past few months? Are you Ok?” He smiled and simply said, “I had this feeling, Pastor. I felt like God was telling me to make some things right. I don’t know why but I have this gut feeling that my life is ending. I know I’m only 52 and I’m not sick. It doesn’t make sense, but I just think God is preparing me for something.” I have heard stories like this several times from people. God was giving them a glimpse of the future. A year later, Earl was diagnosed with cancer. Three months later, he died. I do believe God gave Earl time to make things right. I do believe God warned him of his impending death and was preparing him for what was to come. I am so glad that Earl listened to that still small voice nagging at his soul and came back to God.
God knows what you need before you need it. God can answer a prayer even before it is uttered. God can also show you a glimpse of your future. Every now and then God does this to help you prepare, to help you cope, to save or protect you. Is there something in your future God is showing you today?