Asides

“Isaiah answered, ‘This is the Lord’s sign to you that the Lord will do what he has promised: Shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or shall it go back ten steps?’ ‘It is a simple matter for the shadow to go forward ten steps,’ said Hezekiah. ‘Rather, have it go back ten steps.’ Then the prophet Isaiah called on the Lord, and the Lord made the shadow go back the ten steps it had gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.” (2 Kings 20: 9-11, NIV)

As a disciple of Jesus, it is best that we not seek signs and affirmations from the Lord because, as the scripture says: “We walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

But. . . when we persist in seeking a sign from God, we need to take the boldest, most audacious course so that we will know, for all time, that it was the Lord God — not coincidence, circumstance, or good fortune — that made it all happen. 

And having been given a front-row seat to the faithfulness and magnificence of our heavenly Father, we should be convinced — forever — of His love and faithfulness; returning as necessary to the place where God revealed Himself faithful and true, but never again needing a divine sign.

Remember the divine visitations, and God’s answers to our audacious prayers, and the desire for new affirmations from God will be satisfied by the memory of our experiences.  – Luther

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“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” (Proverbs 12:25, NIV)

As the channels of the Good News, we live in a “target-rich environment.” That is to say, a disciple of Jesus has ample opportunity to cheer others because most people are ridden with anxiety. 

If all we knew was what we read in the newspaper, see on the television, or hear on the radio, we would be anxious about the condition of our food; the safety of public transport; the performance of our educational institutions; the viability of the economy; and the prospects for the future.  These are a few of the anxieties that “weigh down the heart.” 

A kind word in such an environment is always welcome. Will you choose to be the candle in the darkness; the cool drink of water in the desert; the smile in the sea of frowns?  – Luther

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“Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.'” (Luke 18: 27, NIV)

Make no mistake about it, there are impossibilities in this life.  To act or to say otherwise is to risk doing ourselves, and those who get their cues from us, a great deal of harm. Each day presents its own challenges, and we do well to weigh whether we have the time, the strength, the wisdom, the funds, or the alliances and allegiances to prevail. Doing so brings us to the point where we know, without a doubt, that if we are to succeed in the task before us, it must be “with God.”

 Jesus reminds us today (as He did the disciples 2,000 years ago) that where we will utterly fail by ourselves; with God, we can achieve, succeed, and prevail. 

The child of God is never — never — in the realm of impossibility when mindful of his/her heavenly Father.  – Luther

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