Today’s devotion is Matthew 16:1-4.
“1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven.
2 But 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.” Matthew 16:1-4.
Sometime after September 11, 2001, when many of us were wondering if things were out of control, I looked down the street in front of my home, and I saw the most beautiful rainbow and at the same time, I felt a sense of peace and impression that God was saying to me: “Do not fear. I am still on my throne in total control.” Some could say I did not need that sign, and that would be true. I did not ask nor seek for that sign. But, God did give that sign to me. After that time, I was not shaken nor worried about “9/11”. I had peace.
So, I first want to state that we do receive signs, and we can appreciate and be thankful for them. But, as this Scripture states, we should not seek after signs, at least in an improper way.
One way that we can improperly seek after signs is to be lazy and neglect Scripture. We may want guidance and direction through the easy sign rather than through the more difficult study of Scripture.
A second way that we can improperly seek after signs is to try to obtain an excuse of not following Scripture. We may not like the command and direction given by Scripture, and we hope for a sign that will give us an excuse to do the opposite of that command and direction, an excuse to do what we really want to do.
A third way that we can improperly seek after signs is that we improperly prefer “sight and satisfaction” over “faith and hope”. As I study the Scriptures, I have become more and more convinced that God wants us to have faith and hope, more than sight and satisfaction.
After “Doubting” Thomas saw, heard, and felt Jesus, he thought he “believed”. But, “Jesus said to him, ‘Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.'” John 20:29. (Emphasis added.)
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6. (Emphasis added.)
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. (Emphasis added)
If we see it, hear it, or feel it, we no longer have faith, because it is seen, heard, or felt. There is no conviction of things unseen.
“For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees?” Romans 8:24. (Emphasis added).
We should simply believe, accepting God’s Word by the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things unseen that is faith. We should not withhold our belief until we see, hear, or feel. That is not faith.
Instead of thinking: “Show me one more sign, and I will believe.”, we should think: “Thank you God for what you have already shown me! I already believe you and trust you. You don’t need to prove anything now.”
We do not need more signs and wonders. We need to read Scriptures more and simply believe and follow the promises of God, commands, and direction that we read from the Scriptures. Let us appreciate Scriptures more.
If God shows us signs and wonders that is great. Praise God! But, if He does not show us signs and wonders when we want, we should appreciate that we are allowed to live by faith which is pleasing to God.
God blesses us more by His silence which allows us to live by faith than when He shows us signs and wonders which require no faith. Let us also appreciate the times of His silence more which allows us to walk by faith and please Him.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 