Prophetic Insights for 2024
Happy New Year!
With 2023 in the rear-view mirror (can you believe it?!), we have leaped into a new year...a leap year, actually! I hope your holiday season was filled with wonderful memories of family, friends, and fun times together. Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year with the beautiful lights, Christmas music, the smell of evergreens and yummy cookies baking, and the giving of gifts. And the most important gift of all...Jesus, born in a manger, Emmanuel, God with us.
PROPHETIC INSIGHTS FOR 2024
As I prayed about the coming year, I felt the Lord direct me to Haggai 2:6 -
In a little while, I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory...the glory of the present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.
It doesn't take prophetic insight to discern that we are in the midst of great shaking in our world: the war in Israel, the economy, the southern border crisis, anti-semitism, hatred and vitriolic speech in the media fueling division among people. In the Body of Christ, prominent leaders have fallen, causing a shaking in many of God's people. Tumultuous times. Our minds can fill with dread and consternation as we look to the future.
EXODUS FROM EGYPT
As I asked the Lord about this, I felt He led me to Exodus and the plagues against Egypt. The significance of the plagues was not so much about rescuing the Israelites from Egypt, as it was about communicating to them, and the Egyptians, who God really is.
The Israelites had been slaves in the land for 400 years, and had forgotten their covenant with the God of all power. The Egyptians worshiped false gods and each plague targeted one those gods. Each plague parallels the "gods" of our culture. Without detailing each plague, here are just three examples.
Plague #1 - The Nile turned into blood. Targeting the Nile, worshiped as the god of life and fertility, it became a representation of death instead. I see a parallel in the bloodshed of lawlessness rampant in our world.
Plague #3 - The gnats, or "biting" insects. This represents the "biting" words that create havoc through social media and news outlets.
Plague #10, the final plague - Death of the first born. This speaks to me of the plague of abortion in our world.
GOSHEN
The Bible tells us that God made a distinction between His people and the Egyptians when He released the plagues.
I will set apart the land of Goshen in which My people live...I will make a clear distinction between My people and your people (Exodus 8:22).
The Israelites were set apart in a region of Egypt called Goshen. It was a very fertile and lush region of Egypt where all their needs were provided for. As comfortable as Goshen was, it was merely a place of transition. They didn't settle there...they were on their way to the Promised Land.
Goshen was a place of protection and security for the Israelites. They did not suffer from the plagues of flies, death of their livestock, hail, darkness, or death of their firstborn. Despite the chaos surrounding them, the Israelites were at peace.
My sense is that God will provide a “Goshen” for us, His people, in the midst of the turmoil and shaking around us.
Our Goshen is the place of His presence.
CONFIRMING DREAM
As if to confirm this word, I woke up from a dream the day after receiving this revelation. I was in bed, in a house with my family. With great intensity, one of them shouted:
"It’s time to get up! It's time to wake up! Look at the clock – it’s 6:75!"
I looked at a digital clock on the bed stand with red numbers that read 6:75. I could smell breakfast cooking and started to get out of bed. I woke up. I wondered: “6:75 is not an actual time. What could that mean, Lord?”
I felt like I heard...6:00 am plus 75 minutes is 7:15. As I do when I have a vivid dream about a specific number, I went to each book of the Bible, looking up Chapter 7 verse 15.
The very first reference in Exodus 7:15 recorded the beginning of the plagues! Then in Deut. 7:15 – And the Lord will protect you from all sickness. He will not let you suffer from the terrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but will inflict them on all your enemies!
Verses 17-19 continues: Perhaps you will think to yourselves, ‘How can we ever conquer these nations that are so much more powerful than we are?’ But don’t be afraid of them! Remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all the land of Egypt...Remember the miraculous signs and wonders, and the strong hand and powerful arm with which he brought you out of Egypt. The Lord your God will use this same power against all the people you fear.
As we look around, we're tempted to think: "How can we overcome the chaos and shaking in the world we live in?" It can feel overwhelming.
BUT GOD!
In times like this, it's helpful to remember. Remember the times God came through for you, helped you, provided what you needed. Remember His goodness, kindness, and unlimited grace.
2 Chron. 7:15 follows a verse we are all familiar with: If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
I love the promise in verse 15: My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.
Prayer is the key to entering the Goshen God has prepared for us.
Many other references to chapter 7, verse 15, have the same theme running through them: VICTORY OVER ENEMIES!
2024 AND THE LAND OF GOSHEN
We will face many challenges, even enemies, in the coming year. But I believe God is saying He will set us in our own “Goshen” – a special place of:
Light in the midst of the darkness;
Security despite the shaking;
Safety in the face of dangers;
Protection and provision in every area of our lives.
Our “Goshen” is His presence.
We enter by FAITH through prayer.
As you head into the New Year, my prayer is that you will take time to sit with Him, talk with Him, and make His presence your priority. May you enter into the protection of Goshen that has been prepared and is waiting for you.
God's richest blessings for a New Year filled with more of HIM!