Addicted to Signs?

“And Elijah came near to all the people and said, ‘How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people did not answer him a word.” I Kings 18:21

“Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered Him, saying, ‘Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.’ But He answered and said to them, ‘An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign’ and yet no sign shall be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall stand up with this generation at the judgment, and shall condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.’” Matthew 12:38-41

“And some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.’ And He said to them, ‘O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!” Luke 24:24-25

“But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. And when they saw Him they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.” Matthew 29:16

God knows that “quick solutions to those three questions may not solve the underlying problems of disappointment with God. The Israelites, though exposed to the bright, unshaded light of God’s presence, were as fickle a people as have ever lived. Ten different times on the melancholy pathless plains of the Sinai they rose up against God. These dismal results may provide insight into why God does not intervene more directly today. Some Christians long for a world well-stocked with miracles and spectacular signs of God’s presence. But the follow-the-dots journey of the Israelites give ample proof that signs may only addict us to signs, not God.” *

Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Request: A lady who was brutally raped and is in hospital. An unknown man in a hit and run in front of my home; Deb, a very special friend in the States (diagnosed with multiple Myeloma); Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life); Helen (Wendy & her mom, Helen’s husband had a heart attack). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).

Praise: Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Leslie (growing stronger from chemo); Both Nancys (growing stronger & more patient (one with chemo - the other recovering from serious head trauma)).

Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.

Pray for: Tim & Barb (need work & encouragement as they wait); Adrian (many life changes); Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary.


*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey