Late in the New England winter when the sharp edge of the March wind is replaced by a gentler, softer current, it’s an indication that soon, if not straightaway, spring will gain ground and winter will loosen its hold. It’s a sign, and signs such as these are encouraging. We grow to expect them.
When people earnestly pray to God for healing, the question sometimes comes up whether or not it’s legitimate to watch for signs. Yet, the Bible is full of examples of people in circumstances similar to our own who turned to God and received signs. Moses’ career of leading the children of Israel to the Promised Land was witness to a burning bush, a parting sea, water springing from a rock, and many other remarkable indications of God’s attentive power and presence. Jacob, before him, and Elijah and Elisha, after him, had lives peppered with signs of God’s direction, provision, protection, and deliverance. It could be concluded that their love for God enabled them to perceive God’s practical and obvious touches in their lives. They grew to expect them. These are encouraging signals that God is being God, taking care of His creation with unmistakable tenderness. In fact, it could be said that the Scriptures are a record of signs of Immanuel, which means “God with us.”
So, it’s not surprising or unusual to find that we too, in prayer, might watch for signs. Maybe the question to clarify is where are we looking for signs of the effect of the reality of God in our lives?
