Read this encouraging word from Mr. Sanford, and be encouraged, allow God to speak to you your role, for as the article states, "...We Believers should walk in unprecedented favor even as the world experiences a time of darkness..."
R. Loren Sandford: "Sustaining Hope in the Midst - It's Our Time to Shine"
Most prophetic voices I have been hearing seem to be pronouncing much doom and gloom for the days to come. I have been among those who believe that these words are neither helpful nor entirely accurate. God is certainly not finished with America, nor has He ended its role in facilitating the spread of the Gospel in the world. We have entered a time of discipline and correction. While severe, it is indeed discipline and not yet destruction. I see hope on the horizon.
We're not going to collapse, although it may feel that way as we read the daily news. Time will tell who is right. But it's not a contest to see who is right and who is wrong. It's about hope and what that means to Believers. It's about what we're called to do and what we're called to be in times such as these. These things are spelled out for us in the Scriptures and do not change with the times or the circumstances. The prophetic word during this current period of history should bring hope and purpose to God's people to strengthen them for the days ahead.
We Believers should walk in unprecedented favor even as the world experiences a time of darkness, much as Daniel rose to favor and authority under Nebuchadnezzar and as Joseph rose under Pharaoh. They walked with servant hearts to bless the unrighteous kings who ruled over them and garnered favor and position in return. Joseph even used his wisdom and his spiritual gifts to save Egypt from the ancient equivalent of a major economic depression—seven years of famine. For us, the promise of God stands unchanged and calls for our response:
"Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising."—Isaiah 60:1-3
Darkness may cover the earth around us, but God's favor and light rest upon us. This can and should be a time of great ingathering of souls. It's our time to shine.
Forever Greet the Dawn"
"The oracle concerning Edom. One keeps calling to me from Seir, 'Watchman, how far gone is the night? Watchman, how far gone is the night?' The watchman says, 'Morning comes but also night. If you would inquire, inquire; come back again.'"—Isaiah 21:11-12
These words were spoken prior to 722 B.C. as Assyria conquered the region around the northern kingdom of Israel. It was a time of disaster, destruction and desperation. The prophet used the image of the night watchman watching over the city as others slept to communicate a truth. People figuratively cried out, "Is it nearly over?" And the answer was that morning is imminent but the night lingers, so keep asking and "come back again," because the answer will be changing as dawn approaches.
For the current situation, is the night over? Will the end of the current darkness come quickly? Answer: Recovery (the dawn) will begin—I believe, by mid-year—but dark times will linger. As in the moments before the dawn, dark and light, recovery and loss will remain mixed for a time. Therefore keep asking and inquiring of the Lord because things will be changing steadily, like light coming over the horizon gradually in the morning. We'll need to be alert and listening for the Lord's voice in order to move with Him.
The Lord then spoke to me directly the following word:
"Forever greet the dawn. I open a season of hope in the midst of darkness—seeds of hope to announce the day. I have dampened the hopes of many and drained the color from many faces that they may seek Me. I open doors of prosperity to those who seek My ways to guide their steps. I will increase their joy in the midst of trials."
And finally, He took me to Psalm 29, verses 1-2, "Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; worship the LORD in holy array."
And verses 10-11, "The LORD sat as King at the flood; yes, the LORD sits as King forever. The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace."
This is a time to intensify our worship, to diligently focus on and celebrate the Lord's glory and strength, to reach out to those increasingly fearful in the world with power, signs and wonders—and to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that in the midst of the flood, He remains the sovereign King ruling over it. Do this and He will strengthen us and grant us peace in the midst of turmoil.
R. Loren Sandford
New Song Fellowship
Email: loren@newsongfellowship.org
About R. Loren Sandford: R. Loren Sandford is the eldest son of John and Paula Sandford, widely recognized as pioneers in the charismatic renewal, prophetic ministry and inner healing. A graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary, Loren has been in ministry full time since 1976 and is the founding pastor of New Song Fellowship in Denver, Colorado, where he serves as the pastoral coordinator for the western region of Partners in Harvest, the church affiliation that has grown from the Toronto outpouring. He is the author of "Purifying the Prophetic: Breaking Free from the Spirit of Self-fulfillment," "Understanding Prophetic People: Blessings and Problems with the Prophetic Gift," and most recently, "The Prophetic Church: Wielding the Power to Change the World," among others. Married since 1972, he and Beth have two daughters and one son who have collectively given them eight grandchildren. Loren is also a member of the Osage Nation, a Native American heritage he deeply treasures.
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