The Crystal Ball Of God’s Love
BRD REFLECTION 2026
1 Corinthians 14:13-25 and Psalm 22:25-31 (NIV)
(Song Tao from Youth Ministry)
READ:
1 Corinthians 14:13-25 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
In today’s passage, we read about how the gift of tongues and the gift of prophecy can be used to build up both believers and non-believers. Paul’s key argument is presented in verses 16 and 17. It is out of such a consideration that he exhorts the Corinthians to pray for the gift of interpretation (v13) and to pray with both their spirit and their mind (v15). Paul also devotes much attention to the response that a non-Christian may have as they witness the gift of tongues and the gift of prophecy in action (v19, 22-23) and to the power that the gift of prophecy may have in turning the hearts of those who don’t yet know God back to Him (v24-25).
Paul’s encouragement on this topic is part of his larger reflection on orderly worship. Underlying his exhortation is a plea to the church to consider how best to use their gifts for each other’s edification, not just their own. Paul emphasises the importance of the gift of prophecy and the gift of interpretation as gifts which allow us to worship God with our minds and invite others into the same worship of God.
APPLY:
In popular culture, prophecy is often understood as the ability to gaze into the crystal ball of the future and to predict future events before they even happen. This is a difficult ability to comprehend, and I am not sure if it’s a gift I would really want to have.
I understand the gift of prophecy as forthtelling or proclaiming God’s truth for the present circumstance. I believe this involves an intimate understanding of who God is and where His people are currently. Both of these stem from a love for God and His people.
I do not have the gift of tongues. However, growing up in church, I had leaders and mentors who did, along with the gift of prophecy, and who prayed alongside me and for me. I resonate with Paul’s exhortation as I reflect on my own experiences wrestling with faith during my youth.
The times when I felt most edified were when I understood what my leaders were praying for on my behalf.
The times when I felt most challenged, and most aware of being in the presence of God, as Paul describes in verse 25, were when my leaders and mentors helped me understand what God was doing in my life and where He might be leading me.
DO:
Paul’s exhortation in our passage today reminds me to do three things:
First, I should grow in my desire to know God more and strive in my understanding of His character, His promises, and His faithfulness.
Second, I should grow in my desire to love God’s people.
Third, I should consider how I can use the gifts God has given me to serve Him and contribute towards edifying His church.
PRAY:
Good and gracious God, I praise You for who You are, that You are Love, and that You are faithful. Thank You for revealing Yourself to me, and for inviting me into fellowship with You. Help me to see and love Your people as You do. Help me to steward what You have given to me well, that I may use the gifts You have given me to serve You and to point others towards You.
I know it is only by Your Holy Spirit that hearts can be transformed. Holy Spirit, transform me still, and move in me that I may love God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
