It was a very strange exam. The question was verbal. I listened then wrote the answer in a short paragraph. Later, my instructor handed me my graded paper. I scanned her lengthy red-inked critique without reading any of it and focused on the large handwritten “C2.” A second C grade for the semester?! My heart sank. When I awakened, I could not remember the question, my answer or the critique; only the big red C2.
This dream was seen several years ago, but I remember it well. After some time, I learned that C2 was not a rating of my performance as a student. The Holy Spirit (the instructor in the dream), in His parabolic style of speaking, was instructing me to “see more.” (2 in this context means multiplication).
It’s often said that “Seeing is believing!” But Jesus says we are blessed if we believe before we see (John 20:29). This requires faith.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. We walk by faith, not by [natural] sight. Faith is the substance [assurance] of things hoped for, the evidence [certainty] of things not seen. (Romans 10: 17, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 11:1, NKJV). Square brackets added for clarity.
To “see more” in the Kingdom of God means to exercise more faith, and faith increases when we “hear” God’s Words. If what we “see” is based on what we “hear” we will want to be sure that we are hearing correctly. Faith will not come to us by listening to the mainstream media or op-eds, which neither reflect the mind of God nor His plans. (God has revealed that at some time in the future, parts of the media will be reshaped to support His agenda; others will become defunct). No one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:11b), and we also have His Word.
2020 was prophesied to be a year of clarity and vision (20/20). But in the natural, it’s been difficult to understand. From the tragic losses associated with COVID19, to the devastating wildfires on the West Coast, to the repetitive battering of hurricanes, to the rioting and arson in the streets, or other unexpected challenges; people have complained that this has been quite an extraordinary year.
When we look beyond the natural and what we hear in the news, what does faith “see”? Everything God said this year would be, will be. Faith tells us that God’s promises always supersede whatever difficulties we may experience or see.
A few hours ago, I heard: Hindsight is 20/20 (2020). I think this means that we will look back and “see” (understand) things we did not before.
Holy Spirit also brought to mind another riddle He spoke some years ago, “When D comes before C.” This is an example of God’s dark speech (dark in this context means hidden) Numbers 12:8.
In the English language C is a homonym for “see.” Some Ds that may come before we “see” or understand are: difficulties, delay, disappointment, discouragement, darkness, defeat, distress, denial, disillusionment, destruction, dissatisfaction, depression and the dictionary lists so many more. (Sorry D, such a bum rap! But, you do have destiny and deliverance).
Some Cs that follow Ds are: Contentment, courage, compassion, calling, covenant, commission, creativity, commitment, counsel, conviction, and correction (yes, correction is a very good thing).
Then the Lord reminded me about another dream riddle “Joshua in D.” It was a colorful and exciting dream with dancing cheerleaders on roller skates, wearing jersey tops and short skirts. The front of each jersey displayed a single upper case letter.
The cheerleaders assembled and disassembled to spell words. They spelled out the phrase: “JOSHUA IN D”.
This riddle was not like guessing Rumpelstiltskin’s name, but I had to draw on several clues and other dreams to figure out the Lord meant Joshua’s commissioning in Deuteronomy 31:7. Joshua faced real giants and the message of the dream was similar. Be strong and courageous and take the land, regardless of what Ds you encounter! (The full dream is decoded in my book).
Are you experiencing a test in the midst of Ds? Hang in there! When the 20/20 hindsight manifests, the exam will be past and passed. In the meantime, we are to:
(1) Listen to God (not naysayers) and
(2) Do what he tells us to with all our might.
Ds create unprecedented opportunities for God to do amazing things. Joshua defeated the invincible walled city of his day, Jericho. Isaac obeyed God’s instructions to farm in the midst of a famine, and silenced his enemies and critics when his crops yielded a 100-fold increase! (Joshua 5, 6, and Genesis 26:12)
How I love when King David testified of God’s faithfulness through the difficult days. He said:
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! (Psalm 27: 13-14, NKJV)
How things look to you in the new year will depend on your perspective. Going from 20/20 to 20/25 to 20/30 usually means worsening vision. (The top number is what you can see at 20 feet, and the bottom number means that others can see the same thing from 25 or 30 feet away). But in God’s Kingdom, vision grows sharper and brighter for those who place their trust in God and His Word. We walk by faith even when things look good. As the calendar flips to 2021 and beyond, let’s remember that God acts independently of circumstances and He always keeps His Word.
When D comes first, take heart dear friends, that C will surely follow! Amen.