Can You See The Signs?

CAN YOU SEE THE SIGNS?

INTRODUCTION: Tesla song Signs-signs, signs, everywhere signs. Ace of Base song I saw the sign-I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes. There are signs everywhere; some of them literal and some of them spiritual. It pays to heed both kinds; especially the spiritual. And hopefully when we do see the sign from God it will open up our eyes.

1) What are the purposes for God’s signs?

• To confirm his plans.

When God called upon Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, he gave him various signs. First, God gave Moses a sign to confirm what would come to pass.

Ex. 3:11-12, “But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

Then, God gave Moses a sign that he would perform miracles. He told Moses to throw his staff on the ground and it became a snake. He told him to put his hand in his cloak and it became leprous. The miracles would serve as signs to the Egyptians that God was behind what Moses was doing.

Then came the plagues. These were signs that God was serious about his people being let go. The plagues were a sign of distinction between the Israelites and the Egyptians, since the plagues didn’t affect God’s people, just the Egyptians. Then, in the final plague, we have the plague of the firstborn, where every firstborn male in each household would die. This time, it would include the Israelites, unless they did what they were told to do. They needed to sacrifice a lamb and put its blood over the doorpost of their home.

Ex. 12:12-13, “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”

All these were signs of deliverance. God telling Moses that his people would worship on the mountain of Horeb. The miracles were signs that God had the power to deliver his people and that Moses was his agent. And the blood was the sign that his people were going to be spared and delivered. All of these served as confirmations that God’s plans and purposes would be carried out.

We have God’s word today as a confirmation that his plans will succeed. He has a plan for us that will succeed as long as we stay true to him. God gives us signs that we are on the right track. Kathy LeBlanc-getting a license and a car-signs that God’s blessing is upon her life for making the right choices. Getting a raise and more hours are signs confirming she made the right choice when she sacrificed her Sundays and Wednesday nights to be at church. Sometimes financial blessings come when we start making better choices financially.

These blessings are signs that we are making the right sacrifices and choices. He will give confirmations that show that we are where he wants us. God had a plan that I would be in the ministry here at Cornerstone and he opened the doors and made things happen. The signs were clear confirming that this was his will.

• To confirm his promise.

King Hezekiah had fallen ill. He had a painful, debilitating boil. It was so bad that he was told he was going to die. But Hezekiah prayed and God said he would extend his life another 15 years. When Isaiah told this to Hezekiah, he asked for a sign of confirmation.

2nd Kings 20:8-11, “Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, “What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me and that I will go up to the temple of the LORD on the third day from now?” Isaiah answered, “This is the LORD'S sign to you that the LORD will do what he has promised: Shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or shall it go back ten steps?” “It is a simple matter for the shadow to go forward ten steps,” said Hezekiah. “Rather, have it go back ten steps.” Then the prophet Isaiah called upon the LORD, and the LORD made the shadow go back the ten steps it had gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.”

God might not cause the shadows to change direction to confirm his promise to you and I today but God does still show signs to confirm his promises. When God made a covenant with his people he sometimes confirmed it with a sign. After the flood, God made a covenant that he would never destroy all life this way again. He confirmed it with a sign-the rainbow.