There are many different types of callings and giftings in the body of Christ. As I have shared previously, my husband is a watchman. A watchman is a type of prophetic gifting. Often the Lord gives him dreams about what is coming in the future so that we can pray and people can get prepared. We started a YouTube channel where we often share the dreams the Lord gives him, along with ideas for how to prepare, scriptures of encouragement, and inviting people to accept Jesus as their Savior.
We get a variation of responses. Some people thank us for sharing and share similar dreams that the Lord has given them. At times, some friends and even family members have rejected the dreams, saying God didn’t show them that (a few have come back later and said, “I guess you were right about that.”) Some think that they can just rebuke it and pray it away and it won’t happen. I have shared many times that when we pray, sometimes God averts it, sometimes He minimizes it, and sometimes it is going to happen, but the Lord is showing us ahead of time so that we can get prepared.
I love Matthew 6:25-34, where Jesus tells His followers not to worry about what they are going to eat, drink, or wear, but to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you as well. The Lord does not want His people to live in fear. But does that mean that we are never to make any plans or preparations for the future? Most people work a job to make money, write a grocery list, and then go buy and cook what they are going to eat. They don’t wait for ravens to bring bread and meat to the door, like they did for Elijah. Why? Because Elijah was living in a time of drought and famine and God had given him specific instructions about where he was to go and how the Lord would provide for him, which is what the Lord often does in times of crisis.
I believe that Noah and Joseph were a type of watchmen. God told Noah that there was a flood coming. He was to build an ark and store up food for him, his family, and the animals, which he did. Imagine if Noah’s sons had said, “Dad, God didn’t tell us that; we think you’re being a “gloom and doom” kind of prophet. I think we’re just going to believe for God to supernaturally provide for us here, instead of getting in that boat.” Would they have survived? Probably not, because they would not have been following God’s plan.
In Joseph’s time, the Lord gave Pharaoh a dream showing that there would be seven years of abundance and seven years of drought and famine. The Lord then gave Joseph the supernatural wisdom to know how to prepare for the hard times that were coming and a position of authority that allowed him to institute the plan that the Lord gave him. They were to store 25% of each year’s grain crop so they would have it to get them through the seven bad years of famine.
After Joseph revealed to his brothers his true identity, he said to them:
“But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. “For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” (Genesis 45:5-7 NKJV).
After that Joseph sent his brothers back with carts and instructions to bring his father, brothers, and their families to Egypt to live in the land of Goshen. What if Joseph’s father and brothers had said, “No, we think we’ll just stay here and believe God to provide for us where we are.” Would they have survived? Probably not, because they would have been ignoring the Lord’s revealed will and the path to provision that He had made for them.
In Acts 11:27-29 it is recorded that “prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch and one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” NKJV
So, here is a New Testament example of God using prophets to foretell a time of famine and the disciples responding by collecting money to send to those in Judea. They could have said, “We don’t need to send them any money; God will provide.” God does often provide supernaturally during times of crisis. But more often, it seems that He gives people wisdom, a plan of provision, and uses those who have to help provide for those who do not. It is important that we hear what God is saying and follow His directions. He will provide for His people, but we need to follow the path to provision that He has made for us. I believe this is all part of the “Joseph Anointing.” God bless you all.
In Christ ~Kelly Rowe
A Deeper Walk 