10/22/2025
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 I am” to the Lord, we still get confirmation. Does God sign the letters He sends you? Have you ever been a pen in His hand and used to write His signature on someone else’s note?
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14 ESV
I was preparing to send out my morning devotional one morning in 2017 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 other old friends who like to receive my devotionals instantly, completed sending my devotional email, and uploaded the devotional to my web site, I opened Rich’s message. It contained a passage of scripture that he had been moved to send to me and our mutual friend Jack Hughes (of whom I wrote about the previous morning). Here is what Rich Alves sent to Jack and me that morning:
"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, and that I had obeyed Him.
Why is it important for the Lord to sign His work? I think the answer is twofold... 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, understands it is Him… sees that it is God Himself who is speaking or acting.
“Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’””
Exodus 3:13-14 ESV
Does God use you to give encouragement or sign one of His letters? Perhaps you have also received His confirmation... maybe it was an unusual sign on a billboard, someone who came 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 before?
A few years ago, as God was preparing to use me in a powerful and lifelong way. I had been hearing Him, but as I drug my feet 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 was dreading having to sit in the long line that I knew would accompany the final days of the month because everyone waits and 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... still no cars. I slowed down to select a bay. They were all open except one that had an orange cone in front of it, and all of them 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, while 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, which was also completely devoid 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 this today because of his signature.
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. Have you ever been the pen in God’s hand?
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 a confirmation. Each of your children carries your seal and is accompanied by your letter of announcement and authenticity. Be with us as we do your bidding Lord and speak those things you have asked 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 for 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 promptly. 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 the intended one to see. Use me to authenticate your will to others Abba, just as you use them to confirm your will in my life. I thank you for your hand on me as I write, your Spirit the guides me as I do your bidding, and your words in my mouth as I speak. Answering your will in these ways blesses me and as it does I will praise you, worship you, and obey you. Your hand, your voice, and your breath quicken me, and may my obedience glorify you each time I become the pen or in some way deliver your signature which authenticates your will and work.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen!
Rich Forbes