2026: You Are the Burning Bush

Steve Backlund
4 days ago
3 min read

2026: You Are the Burning Bush

By Steve Backlund

“Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro (Moses’) father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to (Moses) in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush . . . “ (Exodus 3:1-2). This unexpected encounter (after 40 years of believing he had missed his opportunity) launched Moses into a history-impacting purpose.

As I pray about 2026, I am hearing it is the year that those who have become discouraged (and stopped building) will encounter us as their burning bush and get back into the game to fulfill their assignment.

Zerubbabel was another leader who needed a burning bush experience. His calling (along with the Jewish elders) to rebuild the temple had stopped for sixteen years because of opposition. He met two “burning bush” prophets that God used to empower him to build again. “Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews . . . So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them, helping them” (Ezra 5:1-2). “So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished it . . , “ (Ezra 6:14).

We not only believe in burning bush experiences for ourselves, but this is the year where we become Haggais and Zechariahs for Zerubbabels who have important God assignments, but have stopped building. I believe Ezra chapters 5 & 6 prophesy to you in the following ways for 2026:

You will have key partnerships in being a burning bush to Zerubbabels (Haggai AND Zechariah).
Your prophetic encouragement is going to another level this year. It will grow in quantity and quality.
Your continued prophetic encouragement will cause influencers to prosper in what they do.
God is partnering the practical prophetic teaching (Haggai) with the mystical prophetic teaching (Zechariah) to have people experience burning bushes of truth and power.

The books Haggai and Zechariah have key verses for 2026. Here are four of them:

Haggai speaks to priorities: “‘You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house’”: (Haggai 1:9).
Haggai also speaks about greater things to come: “The glory of this latter ]temple shall be greater than the former” (Haggai 2:9).
Zechariah gives us a great declaration to proclaim to Zerubbabels: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).
Zechariah tells us more about what the Lord will do by His grace: “‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” (Zechariah 4:7).

How can we position ourselves to be a burning bush encounter for modern-day Zerubbabels?

Believe - Declare this: I am a walking burning bush who will infuse important influencers with courage to complete their history-making assignments.
Identify who you are to partner with - It may be one person, a whole church, a particular ministry, or a group of friends.
Go on an encouragement rampage - Tell people regularly what you like about them. Overflow with thanksgiving for what people are doing.
Give God a lot to work with - Write, create resources, invade social media, do podcasts, etc.
Encounter God’s love and power - Put yourself in situations where God can touch you in great ways.
Live in wonder and enthusiasm in every situation - We never know who will ignite with hope. It might be a modern-day David teenager who saves a nation.

You are a burning bush that will break discouragement off of people and propel them into their calling. As you move forward in this, the words of Zechariah will cause you to keep believing in even seemingly insignificant situations. “Despise not the day of small beginnings” (Zechariah 4:10). As we attach great faith to those we connect with, then great things will happen through them.