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Written by Lynne Hammond

Some people think that prophecy is only available to uniquely gifted individuals. They assume it’s just for spiritual leaders and specially called ministers. But according to the apostle Paul, that’s not so. He instructed all believers to covet that gift. He said, “I wish you all prophesied!”

Paul didn’t mean that he wished all believers would foretell the future or be in full-time ministry. That’s the Old Testament idea of prophecy. Back then, only people who occupied the office of the prophet or the priests had the anointing of the Holy Spirit so when God’s people wanted to hear from Him about events to come, they would ask those ministers to inquire of the Lord and prophesy to them. Old Testament books written by prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zechariah, for example, were written primarily to tell God’s people about future events.

Today, however, all that has changed. Instead of foretelling, the simple gift of New Testament prophecy is primarily forth-telling. It is inspired utterance that brings forth the truths of God.

You can get insight about how prophecy works by looking at the original definitions of the word. In Hebrew, it means to bubble up or flow forth like a fountain. In Greek, it means to speak for God. When we put those two definitions together, we see that New Testament prophecy is simply letting the words of God bubble up from within and flow forth like a fountain.

Thank heavens, as a New Testament believer, you don’t have to go to someone who holds the religious office of priest or prophet to tap into the refreshing fountain of prophecy. You can do it yourself because as 1 Peter 2:9 says, you are a part of God’s “… chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.” You have the power and the right to tell forth “the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

So take some time today to do it. Get into your prayer closet and let God’s praises bubble up from within you. Flow like a fountain with psalms to God!

Scripture Reading: Numbers 11:24 – 30, 1 Peter 2:1 – 10