Monday's Blessing
Isaiah 7:10-11
"Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 'Ask the Lord your God for a sign whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights."
When our live becomes disheveled, an intertwining mess of unexpected occurrences that we often don't ask for, we pray heavily upon a sign. Sometimes we need just a little encouragement that we're doing the right thing, on the right path so to speak. We pray insistently, pleading for some type of sign, anything to take note that what we are doing is in good faith.
All through the Bible many of our predecessors have felt the same. When Abraham sent his servant to a distant land to find a bride for his son Isaac, the servant prayed that he'd meet a wonderful lady at the town well. That she would be drawn to the same well as kindred spirits. (Genesis 24). It's the longest recorded engagement story in the Bible. God did honor the servant's request for a sign. He ensured that Isaac knew that Rebekah was the perfect bride.
When the Jews needed a warrior judge, God appointed Gideon. (Judges 6) But Gideon, the youngest and weakest of his family, was unsure that he could rally the Jews against the Eastern peoples who had invaded their land. First, he asked for a sign that it was surely God's voice he was hearing. So, patiently, God consumed Gideon's offering with instant fire that arose out of a plain rock. Later, the massive armies of opposition crossed Jordan, and Gideon asked for two more signs. He wanted God to save Israel through him. At first God put dew on a wool fleece and not the ground. Then he made the fleece dry when the ground was wet. Gideon knew he was in God's favor and defeated the invaders with a small fraction of his army's original size.
And, of course, God invited King Ahaz to ask for a sign. There were two countries trying to get Judah's king, Ahaz, to join forces with them against Assyria. God wanted his people to trust him for protection. He didn't want them making pacts with other countries that did not believe in him. So he said to Ahaz, "Ask the Lord for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." (Isaiah 7:11)
But Ahaz did not acknowledge God. He was not a believer. God gave him a sign anyway. It was promised through Isaiah's prophecy: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14) That fulfillment came with Christmas, the birth of Christ. The sign gave promise not only to the chosen Jews, but to all mankind. God cared enough about us to come to earth and to demonstrate his sacrificial love.
Know that when you need encouragement it is ok to ask for a sign. We can expect that he will bless us with the gift of hope. Know also that sign may not be immediate. God will eventually offer one that will be quite noticeable for you to move on.
Lord,
Thank you for the lengths to which you have gone to help build my faith.Thank you for the Bible and your story so that my trust in you can grow
each day.
I am in need at this moment; give me a sign.
Isaiah 7:10-11
"Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 'Ask the Lord your God for a sign whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights."
When our live becomes disheveled, an intertwining mess of unexpected occurrences that we often don't ask for, we pray heavily upon a sign. Sometimes we need just a little encouragement that we're doing the right thing, on the right path so to speak. We pray insistently, pleading for some type of sign, anything to take note that what we are doing is in good faith.
All through the Bible many of our predecessors have felt the same. When Abraham sent his servant to a distant land to find a bride for his son Isaac, the servant prayed that he'd meet a wonderful lady at the town well. That she would be drawn to the same well as kindred spirits. (Genesis 24). It's the longest recorded engagement story in the Bible. God did honor the servant's request for a sign. He ensured that Isaac knew that Rebekah was the perfect bride.
When the Jews needed a warrior judge, God appointed Gideon. (Judges 6) But Gideon, the youngest and weakest of his family, was unsure that he could rally the Jews against the Eastern peoples who had invaded their land. First, he asked for a sign that it was surely God's voice he was hearing. So, patiently, God consumed Gideon's offering with instant fire that arose out of a plain rock. Later, the massive armies of opposition crossed Jordan, and Gideon asked for two more signs. He wanted God to save Israel through him. At first God put dew on a wool fleece and not the ground. Then he made the fleece dry when the ground was wet. Gideon knew he was in God's favor and defeated the invaders with a small fraction of his army's original size.
And, of course, God invited King Ahaz to ask for a sign. There were two countries trying to get Judah's king, Ahaz, to join forces with them against Assyria. God wanted his people to trust him for protection. He didn't want them making pacts with other countries that did not believe in him. So he said to Ahaz, "Ask the Lord for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." (Isaiah 7:11)
But Ahaz did not acknowledge God. He was not a believer. God gave him a sign anyway. It was promised through Isaiah's prophecy: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14) That fulfillment came with Christmas, the birth of Christ. The sign gave promise not only to the chosen Jews, but to all mankind. God cared enough about us to come to earth and to demonstrate his sacrificial love.
Know that when you need encouragement it is ok to ask for a sign. We can expect that he will bless us with the gift of hope. Know also that sign may not be immediate. God will eventually offer one that will be quite noticeable for you to move on.
Lord,
Thank you for the lengths to which you have gone to help build my faith.Thank you for the Bible and your story so that my trust in you can grow
each day.
I am in need at this moment; give me a sign.
RSS Feed
