Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Preaching to Myself

Today as I was having my devotion I read Matthew 16. As I read it I realized it went through the first four verses with one topic and moved on. I stopped and re-read verses 1-4

Mt 16:1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

I stopped and read it again and thought, why did God put just these four verses in and move on? They seemed so short and insignificant, but I know that God doesn't do that! So, I asked God and read it again.

It is then that God brought this to my mind. The Pharisees and Sadducees wanted a sign even though they had seen many things before. I did a search and found it interesting that two times they are mentioned in Matthew before this the Bible states, "when the Pharisees saw it"... naturally I wanted to know what they saw. I really wasn't surprised (because Pastor and Julie teach so much) that they only saw the two things they thought were wrong. I started to think about how many miracles or as they requested, "sign from heaven" they probably saw!

It was then I realized how often God is showing me so many things, but it is not what I was looking for.... or just not the way that I wanted it. And not only did I see the wrong, but was completely blind to the miracles! How sinful to think I know so much by what I see and completely miss what God is showing.

Anyway, that is my truth for the day. Mostly it was for me, I really am not sure why I was compelled to share it.

3 comments:

Mrs. Julie Fink said...

This was good, thanks for sharing! It's funny how many people are encouraged to "seek a sign" even today by Christian leaders . . . a sign to show them God loves them, is with them, and is in control . . . when He has already made these things CLEAR to them through His Word! The only sign that I am looking for is the sign that I am obeying what I know!

Anonymous said...

This is good Deb! When we are so busy looking for what we expect we will miss out on what we didn't expect.

Kris's Korner said...

What a good truth. Sometimes I know I need to just listen and stop pushing for the things that are not important. What a good reminder. Thank You