06/05/3022
We believe, and have faith, but so often we are afraid to know the unfolding will of God. We fear prophesy, and signs, because, although we might outwardly want the world to change, quite often we find that inwardly we are satisfied with our lives as they are. Thus we fear the revelation of events that prophesy speaks to, or the changes that signs tell us are coming. We see the signs of autumn as the days begin to grow shorter, and the leaves start falling from the trees, but we dread the cold winter that follows. Signs can show us the way, but they always point to change… a new place, a new experience, a transformed life, but always the passing of something old. Change means that we will experience, or know, something new, but it also means we will leave something behind… a love, something comfortable, or some other thing we have grown accustomed to. Are we ready to ask God for prophesy, and signs today? Are we ready for change in our lives?
““Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.””
Isaiah 7:11 ESV
We don’t always perceive that every change is of God, nor do we find that that changing is always easy, but if we look at the end result, and not the painful process of changing, we will find that the right hand of God is there. Scripture doesn’t tell us that everything is good, but it does tell us that the Lord works everything (good and bad together) to produce a good result for those who love Him.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 ESV
I work in computers, and the software that runs on them is very complex. To make a simple change often requires many complex steps, and stopping before the final step is complete can yield a catastrophic result. Most change isn’t as simple as it first appears, and can require a series of several other changes be performed before the desired result is finally achieved. This is true in our worldly, and spiritual lives as well. The good that is ultimately God’s desire for us might mean that we must perform, or experience, several unpleasant, frightening, or painful changes before we get to what He wants for us, and we can miss the ultimate good if we only look at the intermediate changes. Asking God for a sign, or a peek at the end result through prophesy can help us weather those mysterious, and sometimes painful steps.
“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.”
Psalm 25:4-5 ESV
In dealing with large worldwide change the tapestry of God’s will becomes very complex indeed, and the signs can be much more difficult to see. Sometimes the chain of events that we are navigating in prophesy become very hard to follow, and we lose our way in them. It is in this way that we can turn away as we experience suffering, or believe that God has forsaken us, and give up hope while waiting on Him. Not every change is ours, but just an intersection where our thread has crossed another… the inexplicable death of a loved one seems random and meaningless to us, but is perfectly obvious to the owner of the thread it crossed. In this way our trust in the Lord is paramount, and clinging to His promises a requirement if we are to know the good that awaits us.
“Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.”
1 Corinthians 14:22 ESV
Today we will certainly change in some way, and we will be presented with signs and prophesy, but will we realize that we are changing, or see those signs? Will our minds be open to the prophecy that is given? By closing our spiritual eyes, and minds, we can misconstrue the various events in our lives to be random change, but there is no such thing in a world, nor in lives, that God set in motion from the foundation of the world. Yes, all things are working together for good… even as we suffer.
““This shall be the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he has promised:”
Isaiah 38:7 ESV
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your signs, and the prophesy that helps us to know your will. Direct us along the path that leads us to you, and reveal your plans for us. Hear our prayers Lord as we ask you for signs and prophesy as we struggle along the way. Open our eyes, ears, hearts, and spirits to all the many ways you speak to us. Help us to hear your voice in the uproar of this chaotic world, and see your signs amidst the clutter of life. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God whose plans are good, and who speaks to us, even from within our suffering, and tribulation. Praised be your name for every sign that points to you, and for each word of prophesy that calls us into your service. Merciful are you when you comfort our hearts in the midst of the heartache of change. Amazing is your grace that allows your joy to rise up in us despite the hardships, and spiritual intricacies, that have challenged us. Wash us clean with the blood of Jesus, and hang our interwoven lives like a fine tapestry for all of creation to see. Let us glorify you in the complex beauty that is revealed by the image of Jesus that you have created by drawing the threads of your Word, coupled with signs, and prophesy into our lives… each thread pulled across your loom having been colored by the tears, sweat, and blood of fervent prayer, and the righteousness that we have offered to you. Reveal yourself to us Lord as we ask for signs and prophesy… the weaver’s pattern we are to follow.
“He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”
Luke 12:54-56 ESV
Rich Forbes