2017 A Year of “Recompense”

Two Fridays ago I woke up with this word, “recompense” in my heart, and I was drawn to look in to the justice of God. Admittedly, not a subject I focus on very often, and not a word I regularly use in my vocabulary. However, I felt this to be a timely word for now, especially as we prepare to head into 2017. 

First, allow me to share what I believe the Lord is saying for the New Year, and then, in a series of following posts, I shall take some time to break this down a little bit more and teach some on the subject of God’s justice so that our understanding of it is in the right place.

I believe we are heading into a year where God is about to recompense people in three key areas. (I’ll share what those are in one of those later posts.) I heard Him say, this is a time when He will “close the holes” (I heard that phrase specifically) as He recalibrates our understanding of how to manage and steward what we have already have, so that we can exercise more wisdom over what is to come. (That wisdom will also include insight on how to multiply what we have.)

God is about to give His people greater influence – especially in the areas of business, politics, and education – so much so that His people will be sought out as Joseph was:

“And Pharaoh said to his servants, ‘Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?’ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over [in charge of] my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.'” Genesis 41:38-39 NKJV

In order to bring this about, I sense a greater focus on the issue of prudence. (This word has also been hovering over the last few weeks.) A prudent person is one who has enough foresight to make decisions in consideration of the future – not just the now. They’re able to think long-term. They’re tempered in their desires, and are not hasty, impulsive, or drawn to short-term solutions and/or instant gratification.

“The naive or inexperienced person [is easily misled and] believes every word he hears, but the prudent man [is discreet and astute and] considers well where he is going.“ Proverbs 14:15 AMP

I believe that even for those who may have struggled with this in the past, there is an added measure of grace that we can step into right now, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to produce the fruit of self-control. This will accelerate a greater level of maturity to the body of Christ. And supernaturally, as we turn our attention to the Spirit, and allow Him to transform our thinking, we will find that our decision making will be done in a more peaceful way, tempered, and with greater consideration of the future, not just momentary need (or desire). With this will come the ability to think generationally. For God is the God of Abraham, Isaac AND Jacob. As a result, you’re going to find, (if you have not already begun to experience) that you are more deeply satisfied with less. Content. And the things you may have strived for in the past are just not going to matter any more.

I believe this year will be a year when settlements will be paid. Our righteous Judge (Jehovah-Misphat) has both seen and counted (Psalm 56:8) the injustices that have been done to His people (This is both to individuals, but oh, to such a greater degree with the nation of Israel). He has also watched (Mizpah) and taken account of the willing sacrifices that have been made in His name. To you, He says, Proverbs 19:17, “He who is gracious and lends a hand to the poor lends to the Lord, and the Lord will repay him for his good deed.“ (AMP)

Our righteous Judge is not just about freeing us from the grip of our oppressors. (Though that will take place to a greater degree this year as well.) Settlements are paid to balance the scales. Settlements restore peace into a situation, causing us to breath a sigh of relief (Proverbs 29:2), by restoring back, or repaying for losses, and/or injustices.

I  heard a huge sigh of relief being let out by His people this year! 

This is why we can “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and go into His courts with praise!” (Psalm 100:4) Notice the language of the courtroom! This is because settlements are paid in His courts! So we would do well, before they even come, before the New Year has even started, to start praising and thanking Him now.

I also heard the cries of many who had been deeply hurt this year. Many who had been hit with a blow to the heart that came so hard out of nowhere in 2016. (This happened sporadically throughout the year, but more intensely and specifically around August sometime.) I heard you cry to the Lord, “Vindicate me, Oh God!” And because you refused to let your heart become hardened through that situation(s), He says to you, “Now is the time.” So fret not, dear one. What was intended to take you out, was allowed. But God will use that to justify an added measure of goodness back to you. Now is the time for you to watch as He recompenses for what was taken away.

I have so much more to share, and in my next post I will focus in more on the three areas where I believe God is about to recompense His people, specifically. And let me just say, these settlements will go back further than just 2016. But for now, as you’ll see, I’ve included a few scripture references throughout this post. I ask that you prayerfully consider what I’ve shared so far, and if this has stirred your heart, I ask that you spend some time in these verses for yourself. Listen to what the Lord would say to you, and start turning your attention to those areas where you feel you need to see the justice of God prevail. Don’t think about the small little things. Think big-picture. Start looking back on your life and think of it in chapters, or major scene sequences. And ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and highlight the areas you need to focus in on. Some healing will most likely need to take place in these areas as well. But He is ready and willing and able to do it!

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV

Excited to be on this journey with you,

Linda G Riddle

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.” Psalm 89:14 NKJV

 

“In the scales of justice, I see the cross. The Word made Flesh, dividing between soul and spirit and paying the price of the grace and peace added to me.” -Linda G Riddle