Greetings my brothers and sisters in Christ,
I was scrolling through my YouTube short feed the other day, when, praise be to God, I stumbled across a segment titled: “Should we ask God for a sign” - Dr. Adrian Rogers where he asks the question why is it dishonoring to God to ask for a sign, and frankly, gives the answer of: “Well, we have His Word.” Rogers goes further to give us an illustration of a father telling his son he deposited $1000 in his account and the son not being satisfied with just the father’s word and wanting to see it for himself. Rogers punctuates his point by paraphrasing 1 John 5:10.
1 John 5:10 KJV reads: “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.”
After hearing this 60 second sermon, I found myself remorseful and thinking, “oh my God, how many times have I not taken you at your Word and asked for a sign?” Shortly after this, I found myself reflecting on the Words of our true teacher and Savior Jesus Christ.
He says in Matthew 16:1-4 NIV: “1The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. 2But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3“And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? 4“An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away.”
After this word came to me, I had a little time in prayer, asking for correction because “It is also written: ‘You shall not put the LORD your God to the test” (Matthew 4:7 NIV) and that the wicked and adulterous shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven. “9Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men a 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NIV
These are things I do not want to do. Then, I found myself asking why? Why is it so hard for us to take God at His Word? Shortly after, the answer came to me. It is because we attribute human nature to God, whether we mean to or not.
What I mean is, brothers and sisters, how many times has someone gotten your hopes up? Took a solemn vow, a pinky promise, swearing on their child’s or parent’s grave (which I do not recommend) only to break their promise and leave with disappointment.
For it is written: 33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.[a] Matthew 5:33-37 NIV
If you grew up like me, this happened more often than it should have. This repetitive abuse of trust can make anyone doubtful and unbelieving, especially when it is something that sounds too good to be true. However, we must forgive others their shortcomings, brothers and sisters, as He has forgiven us. We must repent of projecting human failure onto our God who never fails. We must repent of leaning on our own understanding when it comes to HIS promises, HIS Word and HIS command. For He is our Father, our one True Father, HE is faithful, HE is trustworthy, HIS Word and HIS promises are the only thing we have that we know will not be broken. Brothers and sisters, if you are struggling wanting proof and/or battling with doubt, know that you are not alone.
As it is written: 5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1st Peter 5:5-11 NIV
Also, my brothers and sisters in Christ, remember, it is written:
10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Psalm 27:10 NIV
May we strive to walk together in a manner worthy of our calling for the glory of our most Holy God and may the grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you.
Blessings,
Pastor Dakota Swinton
Link to YouTube Short “Should we ask God for a sign” - Dr. Adrian Rogers: https://youtube.com/shorts/s5mEbgDS7nIQ?feature=share