He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap | Psalm 113:7

I sense that many in the body of Christ have been going through an intense time of pruning, as they’ve carried such grief over what appears to be a tremendous season of loss in their lives. However, the Lord is going to release such an incredible joy and freedom over His people, as He visits those places of deep disappointments and delivers a great healing.

I hear the Spirit of the Lord saying, “What has looked like loss and rubble in your life will soon be turned into a great gain. I am going to resurrect a massive turnaround in the very areas where you have seen the most heartache and upheaval. Indeed, I will give you double for your trouble. Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours (Isaiah 61:7). My very glory will be seen in the areas that have caused My people such grief and heartache.”

I sense the Lord’s heart of encouragement to hold on to hope and to not throw away your confidence. So many have been experiencing hope differed because of the longevity of the battling and contending. Some may feel that they have taken two steps forward, only to have the enemy knock them several steps back again. However, I am reminded of how an arrow must be pulled back in order to gain the momentum it needs to be launched forward. Beloved, you are an arrow in the hand of the Lord, and the tension that you have been feeling is preparing you to be launched further than you could ever imagine!

He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver (Isaiah 49:2).

You are not going backwards, rather, God is catapulting you forward. Even as 2017 is nearing a close, many may have become disillusioned, because they have found themselves in circumstances and situations that would appear to be hopeless in the natural realm. At the beginning of the year, they thought that they would be in a completely different place than they were before. Some may even feel as though things are worse now than they once were. Yet I believe that the Lord is saying, “The story isn’t over! I am releasing a ‘finishing’ anointing over you, and you will complete the year 2017 with nothing missing and nothing broken.”

In my mind’s eye, I can see a picture of a person running in a marathon. He has been running for a long time, and he is in the very back of the group. Others are bolting ahead of him, and the enemy is laughing and taunting the runner, telling him to give up. The whisper of the enemy seems to grow louder, as he taunts, “Why bother to keep running? You’ll never make it; you’re too far behind.” Out of sheer exhaustion, the runner momentarily considers quitting.

But suddenly a new strength and vigor arises on the inside of him, as he realizes that he had come too far and had fought too hard to turn back now. Then, the Spirit of God blows on the runner and empowers him with a fresh wind, and he takes off with renewed vision and strength! To the enemy’s dismay, he zooms past all of the other runners and crosses over the finish line.

I believe that this is a prophetic picture of what is happening right now. Just when you feel as though you can’t possibly take another step forward, God will step in and breathe his refreshing Spirit upon you.

Friends, we have come too far to turn back now! Keep running your race well, because there is going to be an amazing plot twist coming in the next chapter of your  life. Your story is far from over, and the best is yet to come! Truly you will taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8).

Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” This is going to be a season of highest hearts’ desires and longings fulfilled. If you have been sensing an intensity and a sudden feeling of hopelessness, be encouraged! It is often darkest just before the dawn. This is a time to get your hopes back up! Dare to dream big once again!

For many in the body of Christ, God is getting ready to do what only He can do. His very life and resurrection power is, even now, visiting what would once appear to be the most bleak and hopeless of circumstances.

Truly the Lord’s ways are so much more higher than ours. It says in His Word that unless a seed falls to the ground and dies, there can be no harvest (John 12:24). What has looked like loss in your life will be turned into a harvest of great gain. Watch, as you receive double blessing in those very areas, for the death and pruning that you’ve been experiencing is giving way to new and abundant life!

Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you (Zechariah 9:12).