Have you ever asked for
“a sign” from God? A sign means to ask the Lord to do something in an unusual
way to confirm His will. Moses, Hezekiah, Gideon, and others received miraculous signs from God. A sign can be as simple as a door of opportunity
opening or closing, or as complex as a set of circumstances miraculously coming
together. No sign by itself should be taken as proof of His confirmation,
but should always be affirmed through God’s Word.
In Judges 6, an angel told Gideon that the Lord
had chosen him to lead Israel to defeat the Midianites. Gideon asked for a sign
to prove he would be victorious. He placed a fleece of wool on the ground and
asked the Lord to send dew on the fleece, but let the ground around it remain
dry. The next morning, the fleece was wet and the ground dry. Then Gideon asked
for another sign—to make the fleece dry and the ground wet. The Lord
fulfilled both signs.
Although it's reassuring to have confirmations,
signs are often followed by a severe
testing of faith. Gideon had to fight the Midianites with his army reduced
to 300 men. If you ask God for a sign, be prepared to have your faith tested. Beware of 3 dangers.
1. The danger of becoming
sign-dependent. Some
people think they should ask God for a sign about every decision they need to
make. This is dangerous because they’ll always need to see proof before they
will trust God. Some religious leaders told Jesus, “Teacher, we want to see
a sign from You” (Matt. 12:38-39). He had already performed miracles before
their own eyes, which they had refused to believe. If they wouldn’t repent
after seeing indisputable proof that He was the Messiah, why should Jesus give
them another sign?
2. The danger of seeing
a sign that is not a sign. Some people interpret everything as a sign
from God. While watching a movie, they will hear an actor quote a line and
believe that it is a message to them from the Lord. Although God can speak to
you in any way He desires, don’t assume that everything you see or hear is a sign.
3. The danger of misinterpreting
a sign. A
farmer saw “G P” written in the clouds, which he interpreted to leave the farm
and “Go preach.” After he preached his first sermon, the congregation told him the
sign was actually telling him to “Go plow.” When God gives a sign, the message
will be clear. ...to read more click “Asking God for a Sign”
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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net Twitter: @KentCrockett
