“God, please give me a sign”, I said quietly, as I stepped outside.
I was in the middle of a confusing situation. I didn’t know what to do, or how. I couldn’t see how anything could work out well. I wanted to know that God was near, and involved. I wanted to see a display of his care, and power. I’m not sure what kind of sign I was looking for, exactly—a sudden bolt of lightning out of a clear blue sky? A rainbow ending at my house? A rare bird landing on my shoulder?
God can do such things. He made this world, so he can intervene in it however he likes. If he wants to make something miraculous happen right in front of me right when I’m asking for an assurance of his presence then he can certainly do that, and there are times when he actually has—as with Gideon’s fleece, or the shadow on Hezekiah’s steps. Supernatural acts are not a challenge for the maker and sustainer of nature.
I’m not Gideon. As I walked and prayed and asked, I did not receive any supernatural signs. None. Everything I saw was normal—a normal sky, with a normal sun and normal clouds above the usual trees and birds and grass and wildflowers. No lightning. No supernatural wonders breaking through the natural world around me. And yet, as I walked, I began to realise, slowly, that God’s signs and wonders are not limited to the unusual, rule-breaking, supernatural variety. What is the natural world, but a continual sign of his power? A never-ending display of his wisdom? An ongoing reminder of his care, presence, and provision? The expanse of the sky above reminded me that he is far beyond me in glory, wisdom, and ability, while the sunlight warming my skin spoke of his nearness, and the birdsongs and flowers reminded me of his delight. The mountains declared his strength and stability. The wind moved the trees like his mysterious power, and the sheep grazed in the pastures of his provision. At last I began to see that I was searching everywhere for a sign from God in a world where his signs are already everywhere, all the time. As Psalm 19 puts it,
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
As if that weren’t enough, the psalm goes on to celebrate God’s word—an even greater sign of God’s intervention, his love, provision, clear direction, salvation, and mind-blowing promises. Do you want a sign from God of his care? In Luke 12, Jesus told us to “consider the wildflowers”, the ravens, and the sparrows. Do you want a sign of his active intervention in your trouble? Jesus already came to earth to bring salvation, and promised to stay with his children, all the way home. Do you want a sign to guide your decisions? He already gave you his word, revealing himself, his character, and his ways and commands.
Do you want a sign from God? Go outside. Pick up a Bible. His signs already surround you.
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