Lord, Show Me a Sign for Good

By Brent T. Lively

#Sign #Faith #Psalm86 #leadership

But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.16 Turn to me, and be gracious to me; Oh grant Your strength to Your servant, and save the son of Your handmaid. Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me. Psalm 86: 15-17

Have you ever been in a difficult time in your life and needed a sign from God to remind you of His faithfulness? Years ago, my wife and I had taken our four-year-old son to the San Diego Zoo and purchased a small plastic turtle as a token of remembrance. The next day, while at the beach, my son (who was deeply attached to this turtle) had accidentally left it behind. He was heartbroken when we reached the hotel and realized it was gone, and cried himself to sleep. We went back the next morning, knowing that the tide would have carried that little turtle far away, but we went anyway, hoping for a miracle. Amazingly, the turtle had stayed in the same spot in the sand. This was quite a work of God! We still have that turtle today (20 years later), that serves as a sign post as a continual reminder of God’s goodness.

In Psalm 86, David was afflicted and needy and cried out to the Lord for help because a band of men were seeking to destroy him. David’s primary form of resistance against this opposition was remembering the goodness of God. David asked God for a sign of his goodness that would bring shame to his enemies. It wasn’t wrong for David to ask God for a sign, because his request was rooted in faith and not unbelief. Though he was distressed, he still believed God would answer him and rescue him.

We don’t pray for a sign so that we will have faith, but we ask God for a sign because of our faith. Our faith attests to His faithfulness in our lives. Remember the signposts and workings of His Spirit that confirmed and made clear what He promised would come to pass.

This Advent season, reflect on the signs that God provided in anticipation of the Incarnation, when Christ was born of a virgin and became a man (Isaiah 7:14). Thank the Lord for his continual signs of his goodness that confirm his promises and his word to us. Celebrate these important victories of faith in Christ and share it with others.

Prayer

Father, show me your hand at work in my situation. Open my eyes so that I can see how you are working, and that your plans for me are good. Silence the voice of unbelief that seeks to destroy my hope in your eternal plan. I believe that you will show me great and mighty things that I do not know. Help me to recognize the signposts that remind me of your faithfulness so that I will stand in faith in all your promises.

In Jesus Name,

Amen