10/22/2017
When God calls or speaks to us we more often than not hear the message, and then receive a confirmation. Sometimes we aren’t quick in listening or answering and God repeats himself, but when we finally say “Here am I” to God, we still get confirmation. Does God sign the letters He sends you? Are you the signature on someone else’s note?
I was preparing to send out my morning devotional yesterday morning when I heard the familiar “BING” of an incoming text message, and saw that it was from my good friend Rich Alves. I thought to myself “give me a moment Rich and I will read your text.” Then, after texting 3 old friends who like to receive the devotional instantly, completing my email sends, and uploading the devotional to my web site, I opened Rich’s message. It contained a scripture that he had been moved to send to me and Jack Hughes (of whom I wrote on 10/20/2017 in my devotional titled “Do You Leave a Mark on Jesus?”). Here is what he sent to us:
"Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."
Psalms 91:14-16 ESV
It was pertinent to what I had written, and had been sending out when Rich’s email arrived... it was confirmation, and it was also encouragement... and a promise. God had signed the Word He had given me that morning. Some people sign their work in subtle ways, some in almost cryptic fashion, some in script so small that you can barely read it, some in flowing and beautiful handwriting, and others in the shaky hand of Parkinson's Disease, or the sloppiness of a child... God uses all of these, and more, as He sees fit, but quite often He will sign with a bold “John Hancock” signature (see the U.S. Declaration of Independence). This morning it was BOLD, and unequivocal.
God was telling me through this affirmation that I had heard Him correctly and had summoned the courage to deliver His message. He was telling me that humbling oneself to His Word, and neglecting the bold call of the world, was the message He wanted delivered.
Why is it important for Him to sign His work? I think the answer is two fold... first it is because He often uses unlikely people to deliver his messages or to do the things He asks, and He needs to provide them encouragement and a letter of authenticity to go with them. The second is because He wants to be certain that everyone hearing, or witnessing, sees that it is God Himself who is speaking or acting.
Does God use you to give encouragement or sign one of His letters? Perhaps you have also received His confirmation... an unusual sign on a billboard, someone who comes up to you out of the blue, or a scripture verse from the vast desert of the internet. Have you been either the sender or recipient of such signatures?
A few years ago God was preparing to use me in a powerful and lifelong way. I had been hearing Him, but His voice was growing louder and more emphatic. Finally, one day at about noon, I took my car to the local inspection station for its required annual emission test. It was near the end of the month and all the way to the center I dreaded having to sit in the long line that I knew would accompany the final days of the month as everyone slips in under the deadline. This morning was different... although I arrived during the busiest days, and at the absolute busiest time of the day, there was not one car there.
I thought to myself “Is this a holiday?” But I pulled down the long driveway and around to the back where you enter one of the multiple inspection bays... no cars. I slowed down to select a bay. They were all open except one that had a cone in front of it, and all were empty. As I rolled forward a woman came out of the one bay that had the cone in front of it, picked up the cone, and flagged me to come to that bay. Still no other cars. I pulled into the bay, handed her my registration and a ten dollar bill, and sat there as she inspected my car. Still no other cars.
With my inspection complete she walked up to my window, handed me my passing documents and a dollar in change, then turned to leave, but with an odd expression on her face she turned back to me and asked “Are you a Pastor or something?” My spiritual radar went up, as I responded “No, just a man.” She started to turn away again and turned back to ask “so you are not a Pastor?” And I said again “No, I am just a man.” This time she looked me straight in the eyes and said “I dreamed about you last night... and you are not a Pastor?” I said no, and she walked away perplexed, and glancing back as if to see if I was still there.
I pulled out of the inspection station that was still completely empty onto the street leading to it, that was completely empty of cars, and said “OK Lord I hear you this time.”
As I turned onto the Main Street leading back to my office I looked up at the car in front of me and on the back window... From one side of it to the other was an etching of an angel with outstretched wings. At that, I began to pray and cry in the spirit, and in a few minutes I called Jack Hughes, my spiritual mentor. God had signed His letter, and in part you are reading because of his call.
Listen with a keen ear for God’s voice. Sometimes He has big things He would like you to do, and at other times they might seem small and insignificant, or just something He would like you to know, but He is not to be ignored. Maybe, He is asking you to send an email with a single scripture in it that you feel silly sending, but unknown to you has huge ramifications when received... He is using your obedience to sign His letter to someone else.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for calling me to do your bidding, and thank you for the confirmation you send in accompaniment. Bless those Father who answer your call, whether to do the task, or to sign your letter by delivering confirmation. Each of your children carries your seal and is accompanied by your letter of announcement and authenticity. Be with us Father as we do your bidding and speak those things you ask of us. Give us courage as we go into the world whether it is into a lion’s den, before the Pharaoh, or to humbly wash the feet of a sinner. Never let us falter, or our foot slip as we walk in your shadow. Give us the resolve to do as you wish us to do, and give us your love as we hold those in our arms that you send us to in empathy. Let our tears be yours, our weeping be that of Jesus, and the very words we speak be your proclamation or consolation. In the night when you call our name, never let us tremble as we answer “Here am I”, and always, always, may we answer your call. I praise your name Father, and lift you up with every breath I take. Let me be the signature at the end of your letter of life, and may that signature be legible and plain for all to see.
Rich Forbes