Do We Need A Sign From God Or, Do We Just Need To Obey?
Recently, I went through a period where I was praying hard for some direction from
the Lord. And, as I
the Lord. And, as I
often do and as other Christians often do, I asked God for a sign. Why did I need a sign?
The whole "sign" thing comes from a story in the Bible about a man named Gideon.
God spoke to Gideon and told him he wanted to use him to lead Israel into battle. Instead
of just obeying, Gideon asked God for a sign.
God spoke to Gideon and told him he wanted to use him to lead Israel into battle. Instead
of just obeying, Gideon asked God for a sign.
So, many times when we pray we ask God for a sign to prove or verify that we have
indeed been told by God to do something. So, during my time of decision, I was praying and
asking God for a sign.
indeed been told by God to do something. So, during my time of decision, I was praying and
asking God for a sign.
When we pray we often pray "Lord, give me direction on this..." and that's good. We certainly
need the Lord's direction. I mean, the Bible says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on
your understanding... in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct Thy paths" (Prov. 3:5-6).
So, we should definitely ask the Lord for direction.
need the Lord's direction. I mean, the Bible says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on
your understanding... in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct Thy paths" (Prov. 3:5-6).
So, we should definitely ask the Lord for direction.
But many times (and I admit, many times in MY life) we (I) find ourselves praying for something that
God has already directed us to do.
God has already directed us to do.
For example; supposed we are searching for a church. We visit this church then we visit another
then we visit another church... We do this over months and sometimes years. Someone approaches
us and asks if we have thought about joining? We tell them we are "praying about it."
then we visit another church... We do this over months and sometimes years. Someone approaches
us and asks if we have thought about joining? We tell them we are "praying about it."
Ok... does it take God YEARS to answer a prayer? Ok, I guess it can but let's get real. Most of the
time, no, it doesn't. Again... it CAN. Yes. it can. But that's not the norm.
time, no, it doesn't. Again... it CAN. Yes. it can. But that's not the norm.
Or, to use another example; let's say there is someone that we have some bitterness with. That
person comes to our mind and we think "Ok,. God I need to talk to them." But, it hurts to do that so,
we pray "Ok, God, if you really want me to talk this person... Lord, make them drive up right by me."
person comes to our mind and we think "Ok,. God I need to talk to them." But, it hurts to do that so,
we pray "Ok, God, if you really want me to talk this person... Lord, make them drive up right by me."
Now, that may be a little extreme but it's not far off. Does God want you to talk to the person? Sure!
God doesn't want his people estranged from one another. The issue is, are we willing to do what God
says?
God doesn't want his people estranged from one another. The issue is, are we willing to do what God
says?
This came to me recently. I was praying for God's direction when, what I was really praying for
was a sign from God. Then I began to break the prayer down. As I thought about the issue I was
praying about, I realized that the need existed. No question about the need. So the real issue for me
was "is God calling Me to meet that need?"
was a sign from God. Then I began to break the prayer down. As I thought about the issue I was
praying about, I realized that the need existed. No question about the need. So the real issue for me
was "is God calling Me to meet that need?"
That led to a 2nd level. I wanted God to show me something out of the ordinary to prove that He
had called Me. As I broke that down... I realized the big issue was, I wasn't trusting God.. that was the
whole deal. The need existed. I could meet the need. So... I didn't need God to do something
miraculous. I just needed to obey.
had called Me. As I broke that down... I realized the big issue was, I wasn't trusting God.. that was the
whole deal. The need existed. I could meet the need. So... I didn't need God to do something
miraculous. I just needed to obey.
Which brings me to the whole point... some times, when we are asking God for a sign... we don't
need a sign. The sign is just basically, to pop us over the head and say "do this!"
need a sign. The sign is just basically, to pop us over the head and say "do this!"
I think we complicate prayer some times. If God, in His word has CLEARLY said we are to do something... folks... we don't need to pray about it... we need to do it! This applies to worship, supporting
the local church, tithing, etc...
the local church, tithing, etc...
Are you asking God for a sign for ? You may not need a sign. You may just need to obey what you already know.
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