Asking For Signs

# 179 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 14:8-10, “Then Jonathan said, "Very well, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them. 9 "If they say thus to us, 'Wait until we come to you,' then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them. 10 "But if they say thus, 'Come up to us,' then we will go up. For the LORD has delivered them into our hand, and this will be a sign to us." (1 Sam 14:8-10) Jonathan is strengthened by the pledge of unity from his armor-bearer, and now the Philistines will have to deal with two men who have the heart of God. Two men fiercely loyal to and totally trusting of their commander in chief, and each other. This was the secret of the success of the early church in the Book of Acts. Loyalty and trust of God and each other. Imagine what the church could do with such a Holy Spirit generated attitude today! Jonathan was strengthened, but he still wanted to make sure he had the green light from the commander in chief and so he asks for a sign. Now be careful in this area of sign asking. Signs must be asked for under the influence and control of the Holy Spirit and not our flesh. Here's a simple test. When the Holy Spirit asks for a sign, it will be given. It is granted because the Lord knows the one asking needs it and will act on it. The flesh is more inclined to go for two out of three. The flesh is more inclined to act according to it's desires rather than God's. The flesh is working under the wrong commander and chief. It is better to rely on God's word for your guide. The sure sign that Jesus has given us is the sign of Jonah which refers to His death and resurrection. It is His death and resurrection that ought to affirm the trustworthiness of His Word. It is as Peter wrote in 2Pe 1:19, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place,” Do you want signs? Pray for that Jonathan, armor-bearer, kind of loyalty and trust. The signs will follow in His Word as the commander in chief sees they are needed.