Prophetic acts are something not many in the Church understand. These acts declare in the present, before a spiritual victory comes, of what God will do in the future. Prophetic acts declare God’s authority and faithfulness in spiritual conflict. Often, they are simple acts that yield profound results.

After Israel marched around the city of Jericho in silence for a week, at the Lord’s command the Israelites shouted, and the walls came down and the city was destroyed. Still on a high from their victory over Jericho, taking the next city, Ai, was not a concern for Israel. In the battle with Jericho, the Lord told Israel to take no spoils from that victory. 

One man, Achan, did take some items from the conquest of Jericho and hid them under his tent. As a result of one man’s sin, when Israel attacked the next city, Ai, they were defeated. After an inquiry by the Lord, Achan’s sin was revealed. His disobedience led to his and his entire family’s destruction because of his theft.

On a second go, Israel defeated Ai. During the battle, Joshua had a unique assignment: “For Joshua kept holding out his spear until everyone who had lived in Ai was completely destroyed” (Joshua 8:26). 

Joshua, known as a warrior in battle, was given a prophetic act to perform in the Spirit as the battle against Ai raged. That single prophetic act was used by the Lord to bring a victory if he continued to hold out his spear in faith, pointing towards the battle.

Joshua did not just point his spear at the battle and then withdraw it. As long as the battle was taking place, he was told to keep holding his spear until the conflict was over.

There are times when we will stop standing in a posture of faith, and the very thing we wanted God to do will not be accomplished. This is especially true when a battle is waging, and we want to do something physical. Our greatest involvement in any spiritual battle over our children, our desire to escape from the results of financial ruin, or how a marriage can survive if it’s in trouble, is to continue to hold out our “spear” of faith and not abandon our assignment. 

If the Lord asks us to perform a prophetic act, don’t give up before the victory is experienced. If at some point you abandoned your position and stopped looking at a conflict in faith, it’s never too late to once again pick up your spear and re-engage the battle. All spiritual victories are in the Lord’s hands if we will do our part and trust in His faithfulness to do what He promised.