Signs

Devotion by: LaVonne Gysan

Isaiah 7:10-14

¹⁰ Again the spoke to Ahaz, saying, ¹¹Ask a sign of the your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. ¹²But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. ¹³Then Isaiah said: ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? ¹⁴Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.

How many of us have asked God for a sign to validate something we want to do or to seek a truth? Once my husband was joking with me when we were contemplating a life-changing move. He knew I liked to eat at the Dutch Pantry (they were popular 30 years ago). As we were hunting for a place to have dinner he said, “If we find a Dutch Pantry restaurant, that will be the sign for us to move.” The first restaurant we saw was a Dutch Pantry, and we did move to Pittsburgh soon afterwards. (However, much prayer was given for divine guidance too!)

Ahaz, a king of Judah was given a chance to ask for a sign from God when enemies were threatening Judah. He refused to ask because in his heart he wanted to side with foreign powers instead of relying on God’s protection.

Isaiah tells Ahaz the sign from the Lord. “Look, the young woman (or Virgin) is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel (that is, “God is with us.”)” This message was passed down from generation to generation. Over 700 years later, the sign became a reality – Jesus was born. God has given us all the signs we need to believe in Him. Let us give thanks for Jesus, the sign of Love!

Prayer: Thank you for coming, Immanuel. In your name. Amen.