Habakkuk 2:3

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

DAILY READING – Matthew 12:22-50; Leviticus 15-16; Proverbs 27

On April 1982, Brother David, as he was then known, stood before a sparse congregation. It was just a handful of people. As he began to share what God had spoken to him concerning the future of the ministry, it sounded incredulous. He stated that, “At the base of the commission will be a tent which will sit 50,000 people”. He said that very soon there will be millions gathering at the base to listen to the gospel. He added that he saw them flying with the gospel on wings which showed that soon the ministry will have her own aircraft. He said that the whole world will soon be able to hear the message of the commission from the base. What he was recounting was what he heard from God after an 18 hour visionary encounter on May 2, 1981 that dramatically launched him into ministry.

David Oyedepo was so convinced by this global vision that he went ahead to put up a signpost outside the small Church, announcing the ministry as ‘a Worldwide Outreach Centre.’ This was at a time when the ministry didn’t even have a proper place of worship, had no funds and just a handful as its congregation. With such an audacious signpost, the mockers had a field day laughing at Oyedepo’s seeming delusion.

Fourteen years later, the ministry acquired its first aircraft and seventeen years later on 18th September 1999, the 50,000 seat, Faith Tabernacle was dedicated and would later be listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest Church auditorium. And today, through television and the internet the whole world is indeed hearing the message of the commission from the base. The vision God gave him years ago had come into full manifestation. Incidentally those who mocked at the beginning of the vision are nowhere to be found.

Every vision speaks in the end. When God calls you and gives you an assignment, no matter how grand the vision, it will pass through the process of time. Often, God will allow men to first mock you before He will make you.  Perhaps the mockery makes the victory sweeter. The last laugh is always the best laugh. So no matter how unrealistic your vision may seem now, hold on to it. Don’t allow the mockery of men to influence you or make you shelve your dream. If you listen to naysayers you will not make much progress. Giving heed to the opposition will only cause you to lose your position. When you have heard from God, go forth in boldness and carry out the assignment. Let the results speak for you, only fools doubt proofs.

When Paul heard from God, he conferred not with flesh and blood. Sometimes conferring with flesh and blood is what whittles down your vision. Often what God may say to you does not make sense, so how can men’s mind comprehend it? So when they mock you like Joseph’s brothers did to his dream, ignore the mockery and keep moving forward. Your day is coming. Yes, it may not look like it now; yes, there may be no visible signs of the greatness within; in fact it may even look like the very opposite, but keep running, keep doing all you can. Don’t give up no matter the opposition, be prepared to race till the end. Put your hands to the plough and do not consider the option of turning back. Jesus said anyone who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God. [Luke 9:62]. So be prepared to go all the way with God.

When God gives you a vision, it is for an appointed season. Every vision is for an appointed time, and it will only speak in the end. No matter how audacious the vision God has given you, know there is an appointed time for it. Keep forging ahead, keep going forward, keep pursuing the dream, because in the end it shall speak. And when it does, you will find that even your mockers will come around to celebrate with you.

PRAYER: Lord, please help me to run with the vision You have given me; help me to focus on the assignment with no room for distractions in Jesus’ name.

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Everything that ultimately has a glorious ending usually has a humble beginning.  WORDBITE 222. 

  [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK DIVINE ORDER FOR A LIFE WITHOUT LIMITS]