There’s an African story about a man who visited a prophet and was told, “Your destiny is to be very rich.” Overjoyed, the man went home and did absolutely nothing. He stopped working, stopped learning, stopped farming, and spent his days sitting under a tree waiting for the prophecy to fulfill itself.
“After all,” he reasoned, “the prophet said I’ll be rich. Why should I work when destiny will bring it to me?”

But as time passed, his farm dried up from neglect. His possessions disappeared. His resources ran out. He became poorer than he’d ever been. Frustrated and confused, he returned to the prophet and said, “You lied to me. You said I would be rich, but look at me—I have nothing!”

The prophet looked at him and replied, “I told you what God showed me about your destiny. But you were meant to work toward what God revealed. Destiny doesn’t reward laziness. Prophecy requires partnership.”

What are the prophecies over your life? What words has God spoken concerning you, perhaps during this year, or as you look ahead to 2026? Have you received prophetic declarations about your career, your ministry, your family, your finances, or your purpose?
Will you be like that man who went home to relax, or will you put in the effort required to see those prophecies come to pass?

The Bible makes something very clear about the relationship between diligence and prosperity:
Proverbs 21:5
New International Version
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

The New Living Translation puts it even more plainly:
Proverbs 21:5
New Living Translation
5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

If you want to prosper in what you do, you must devote yourself to proper planning and hard work. Prophecy does not fulfill itself randomly or automatically; it requires intentional planning in line with what God has said. It demands actionable steps to bring it from the spiritual realm into manifestation.

Let’s see a powerful example from Scripture:
Genesis 41:33-36
New King James Version
33 Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt.

34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years.

35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.

36 Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine.”

Context: Pharaoh had two troubling dreams that none of his wise men could interpret. Joseph, still in prison at this time, was brought before Pharaoh and by the wisdom of God, interpreted the dreams: seven years of abundance would come to Egypt, followed by seven years of severe famine.

Now here’s what’s critical: Joseph didn’t stop at interpretation. He didn’t just say, “Well, that’s what your dream means. Good luck with that.” No! He immediately presented a strategic, detailed plan to Pharaoh. He told him exactly what to do: appoint a wise administrator, set up a collection system, store one-fifth of the produce during the good years, and create reserves in every city.

When the years of famine came, just as the prophecy had declared, the Bible tells us that people from all nations came to Egypt to buy grain because there was famine everywhere else. Egypt not only survived—they thrived. They became the source of life for surrounding nations, Israel included. And so, the lineage through which the Son of God, Jesus, was to come to the earth was preserved.

Think about this: What would have happened if Joseph had just interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and left it there? What if he had been satisfied with the recognition of being the only one who could interpret the dream and offered no plan? Not only would Egypt have suffered catastrophic loss, but Israel also would have perished.

But because of wise planning—because someone took the prophetic word and created an actionable strategy— the nation through which the salvation plan was to come was preserved. That’s how critical it is to plan and take action when God reveals what is to come.

Many believers make the mistake of thinking that planning shows a lack of faith. They think, “If God said it, it will happen. I don’t need to do anything.” But that’s not biblical faith. Planning is not unbelief but obedience. God gave Joseph both the revelation and the wisdom to create a plan.

So, once again: What are you doing with the prophecies God has revealed to you? What plans have you made in line with the words God has given you about your future? Or are you sitting under a tree waiting for destiny to magically appear?

As we approach 2026, it’s time to stop treating prophetic words like nice compliments and start treating them like the blueprints that they are. You need to ask yourself: What am I doing to partner with God to see these prophecies fulfilled?

Good news! Our hope and encouragement is that when God gives prophecies, He also gives wisdom to navigate them. You don’t have to figure it out alone. You can ask God for direction for each day and month of 2026.

James 1:5
New King James Version
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

God is faithful to His Word. He says He will give wisdom to anyone who asks—not grudgingly, but liberally and generously.
God is willing and ready to lead you in the coming year. But have you asked Him for guidance?

Now, knowing God’s plans is essential, but it’s not enough. You must begin planning toward them. This is where many believers drop the ball. They hear from God, they get excited, they write it in their journal, and then… nothing. No action. No strategy. No steps.

It’s time to set meaningful, God-directed goals for yourself. Some people dismiss goal-setting as unspiritual or ineffective, but that’s not true. The issue isn’t goal-setting itself—it’s how you approach it.

The right way is to create SMART goals that are fully submitted to the Spirit:

• SPECIFIC– Clearly stating what you want to achieve (not vague wishes but concrete objectives)
• MEASURABLE – With criteria to track your progress (so you know if you’re moving forward)
• ACHIEVABLE – For this one, break the rule. Don’t limit yourself. Remember to dream, God can fund it!
• RELEVANT – Aligned with God’s purpose for your life (not just trendy or impressive)
• TIME-BOUND – With clear deadlines that create accountability and urgency.

But as a believer, you’re not just writing these goals based on your own wisdom or ambition. You prayerfully and intentionally take time with God to write them down. Sit with Him. Listen to His voice. Allow Him to guide you in setting the right goals for each season in 2026.

Proverbs 3:5-6
New King James Version
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Trust God with all your heart. Don’t lean on your own understanding; your limited perspective, your past experiences, your fears, or even your impressive ideas. In all your ways, including your planning, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.

Even as we approach the new year, ask the Lord for wisdom. We serve a God who is more willing to lead us than we are to be led. You can trust God to direct your path in 2026 when you rely on Him. When you choose to seek His wisdom above your own ideas and plans.

Take advantage of these final days of the year to pray, plan, and set your goals for 2026. Don’t wait until January to start thinking about what you’ll do. Start now. Spend time with God. Review the prophecies He’s spoken over you. Ask Him for wisdom on how to walk them out. Write down specific, measurable, time-bound goals. Create action steps. Identify resources you’ll need. Set milestones to track your progress.

You will be in a far better position to see those prophecies over your life fulfilled when you properly plan toward them. Remember: Joseph didn’t just have a dream—he had a plan. And that plan saved nations and is still saving men till date.

What will your plan save? Who will your obedience preserve? What will your diligent planning bring to pass in the Kingdom of God?

Don’t be the man sitting under the tree waiting for destiny to happen. Be like Joseph, take the prophetic word and build a strategic plan around it. Partner with God through prayer, planning, and persistent action.
And be assured that with God’s wisdom and your diligent planning, every prophecy spoken over your life will come to pass.

Prayer Point
Father, I trust You to reveal Your plans for me and order my steps to achieve them. I ask for wisdom to properly plan and prepare for 2026. Give me clarity on the prophecies You’ve spoken and show me the practical steps I need to take.