Shalom dear friends.
Today I want to share with you another encouraging teaching on the signs of the Lord. We can be assured that God speaks through signs. I believe there is a great purpose for them otherwise the Lord would never use them. Signs are like parables, through which God communicates with us. My first example is found in Isaiah 7:14. The scripture declares, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign; behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call his name Emmanuel."We all know that this scripture refers to the supernatural conception of the Messiah. The Lord wanted to be clear with Israel by giving them a sign, which always refers to a supernatural act of God. Let’s study them.
In Isaiah chapter 9, verse 6 we read, "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." The purpose of this supernatural sign is that upon this Child’s shoulders the government will be given and that this Child will be called by the above names including Mighty God. We can be certain that it would take a miracle for a child to become Mighty God upon whose shoulders the government would stand. However, God reassures us that this is exactly who the Messiah would be.
In Numbers 24:17, we read of yet another example of a sign given by God. "I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but near: a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel,...We all know what happened when the Messiah was born. A great star appeared in the heavens pointing towards Bethlehem where the Messiah was born. God predicted that this miracle would occur. We don’t know how this star appeared but we do know that God controls the universe and did something in space in order for this star to shine and fulfill scripture. God could use any natural resource in His creation to show us the coming of the Messiah. Yet He chose to use the supernatural in order to announce the coming of the Messiah. In the same sense, as the talmudim (the twelve disciples) were waiting for the promised Holy Spirit, He manifested Himself in a supernatural way (tongues of fire and like a mighty rushing wind). In Numbers 24:17, we read of yet another example of a sign given by God.We all know what happened when the Messiah was born. A great star appeared in the heavens pointing towards Bethlehem where the Messiah was born. God predicted that this miracle would occur. We don’t know how this star appeared but we do know that God controls the universe and did something in space in order for this star to shine and fulfill scripture. God could use any natural resource in His creation to show us the coming of the Messiah. Yet He chose to use the supernatural in order to announce the coming of the Messiah. In the same sense, as the talmudim (the twelve disciples) were waiting for the promised Holy Spirit, He manifested Himself in a supernatural way (tongues of fire and like a mighty rushing wind).
Let me bring you to the next example. In Luke 2:8-12 we read: "Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the Glory of the Lord shone around them, they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all people. For there is bore to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: you will find a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, laying in a manger." What was the message of the angels? First, they announced to the Jewish shepherds waiting for the Messiah and Savior that tonight, He was born in the city of David. Imagine the excitement of the shepherds when they heard this news. Israel at that time, was under the oppression of Rome. Every Jewish citizen was waiting for a deliver. Therefore, when they saw angels and heard them say their Savior had arrived, I could imagine that these simple men would naturally think the Messiah was some sort of King or great man with power to set them free. Pay attention to what the angel said in verse twelve, This will be a sign. They needed a sign because not only was the Messiah a baby but was born in a manger as well. In the natural, it would seem unbelievable that a King would be born in a stable. Therefore, the angel had to strengthen their faith with this sign.
My friends, we could bring countless of examples on the signs of God. Yet they all point to one thing: the supernatural move of God. I believe we need to see this in order for our faith to be built up and believe God for everything He promised whether you are searching for the Messiah or are in need of a miracle in your life.
God Bless You,
Shalom. |
