We all want answers. We all want to be sure. We all want to know. So we ask, we think – we test the waters. Often before we make a major move in our lives, we ask God for a sign.
“Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” – Isaiah 7:11
Is it right to ask God for a sign? To test Him?
Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.’” – Luke 4:12 (NLT)
The background of Jesus telling this is when Satan was tempting Him to jump and to have God’s angels carry Him so that He will not hurt Himself when He falls. It is a selfish and pointless testing that Satan was asking Jesus to do.
But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test.” – Isaiah 7:12
The background of this verse is that Isaiah was telling king Ahaz to ask God for a sign in order to prove the prophecy that Judah will not fall to the hands of Israel and Aram – both of which was already on the move to invade Judah. But Ahaz said that he will not put God to the test. But God knew the heart of Ahaz because Ahaz had already sought help from the king of Assyria and so he thought that he did not need God’s help anymore.
“Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also?” – Isaiah 7:13
See, God wants to help us. God wants to bless us. God wants to give us answers – if it will glorify Him and will accomplish His purposes. Ahaz did not want God’s help due to pride so that he can say that, in the end, it wasn’t God who helped him out but his own cunning. He put his faith in the king of Assyria. Little did he know that soon after, Assyria would soon also turn his eyes on Judah (king Ahaz’s kingdom).
God wants His people to depend on Him for deliverance. In our lives today, asking God for a sign connotes that we want His answer before we move. But God also knows our motives. If we’re asking Him for a sign for ourselves – a selfish and pointless desire to know then chances are, you won’t get any.
On the other hand, if you really want to seek God’s Kingdom and you really have a heart for God, He says in His Word,
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” – Matthew 21:22
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” – Luke 11:9
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33
Search your heart. What is it that you really want?
Go ahead and ask God for a sign.
