God Gives Signs

-December 20, 2023-

Good morning beloved, happy Wednesday,

“And this will be a sign to you: you will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

(Luke 2:12).

The Greek word for sign is semeion, meaning a sign (typically miraculous), given especially to confirm, corroborate, or authenticate. The Bible mentions signs and wonders all throughout. The Christmas story was given to us in a wonderful way. God gives signs to show what has happened or what will happen.

An angel spoke to the shepherds telling them in Luke 2:10-11, “…Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy which will be for all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Christ’s birth had just occurred and the shepherds were the first to hear of it.

There are many prophecies found in the OT that speak of the Messiah’s birth, life, miracles, sufferings, death on the cross, resurrection, and kingdom. Isaiah 7:14 says, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” This word was a promise hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus.

We also have signs of the end of times and of His Second Coming. God also gives us signs to instruct us, encourage us, inspire us, and guide us. Signs are confirmations in seeking God’s will. We shouldn’t seek after sign but we should be aware of how God uses circumstances to show us what decision to make in conjunction with His Word, godly counsel, and prayer.

Gideon asked God for a sign to confirm His will for leading the Israelites to victory over the Midianites in Judges 6. He put out the fleece twice, the first time that there would be dew on the fleece but not on the ground; the second time that the fleece would be dry but the ground would be wet. God did it just this way both times. God told King Hezekiah who sought a sign that he would be healed and live. Isaiah 38:7-8 says, “‘And this is the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing which He has spoken: Behold, I will bring the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward.’ So the sun returned ten degrees on the dial by which it had gone down.”

Let us rejoice in God’s signs that He has given us and will give to us. As we celebrate the birth of Christ, we remember one of His greatest signs of the Baby born in the manger who grew up to do signs and wonders. Have a blessed day and joyous Christmas. Stay safe and healthy.

The signs pointed to a manger, a cross, a tomb, and a throne, so all the glory would go to God alone,

Dean