Prophetic Longing

“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established.”  (Romans 1:11)

The English word longing means “strong desire,” especially for something beyond reach. It implies that in my longing, my focus is something that cannot possibly happen now or in the near future. Still, I continue longing, reaching for it despite negative odds.

Applied to people and real-life situations, longing is like the Apostle Paul’s strong desire expressed in his letter to the Christians in Rome. Paul said he longed to come to them. His wording suggests his intention was not casual, but rather very intentional, moved by purpose, beyond the norm of hope or expectation.

Reading Paul’s words, we visualize this religious legalist turned apostle and spiritual father of early Christianity rehearsing in his mind details of the trip to Rome, making considerable effort to guard his purpose in going, which was, as he said, to impart spiritually to Roman believers—critical spiritual truths able to establish them in the faith.

The wording describes Paul’s passion for his fellow believers: to impart is to give, share, distribute or grant, including liberality or generosity; to establishmeans to make stable, to place firmly, to set, fix, strengthen, make firm, to confirm, applies to one’s mind, to render constant.

Paul’s impartation was like spiritual treasure stored in his heart for people he did not even know yet; for this purpose, he was determined to reach them. I believe the same is true of prophetic messengers the Lord sends to us today. They impart truth that strengthens and establishes our faith. In response, our part is to receive a prophet as a prophet, receiving in return the prophet’s reward.

Pray today for the prophetic gifts God has sent. Pray they will be honored. Pray their words are received with the same longing for revelation of the Lord’s desires as demonstrated by those carrying His message. Prophetic messengers are a gift from God. 

Amen.

Matthew 10:41 | Jeremiah 20:9 | Romans 1:11 | Luke 14:28,AMP  | 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9 | Verses@Once