More than a quarter of the people in the United States believe in astrology. They think that the positions and movements of celestial bodies impact their lives. When asked to identify their Zodiac sign, 90% of people in the United States can do so (YouGov.com). I know my Zodiac sign because I learned about it as a child. While I’ve never thought about it before, I guess it’s one of those things people pick up when they’re growing up.

In the book of Jeremiah, the Lord gives Jeremiah this word for the people.

This is what the Lord says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them.”

Jeremiah 10:2 (NIV)

When I read this verse today, I realized that this could be a word for us today.

I often hear in prayer that people have a fleece out before the Lord. Whenever a Christian talks about a fleece, it references Gideon waiting for a sign from the Lord. If you’re unfamiliar with this, you can read about it in Judges 6:36-40. I see Gideon’s use of the fleece serving two purposes. The first was to confirm that Gideon was talking to God, that God was who he said he was, and the second that God would do what he said he would do.

Gideon wasn’t the only person to ask for a sign in the Bible. In fact, signs and portents were a big deal in the Old Testament. For example, Hezekiah, when he was told that he would not die and be healed, was given a sign that what the Lord had said would come to pass (Isaiah 38:7-8). Even in the New Testament, Jesus was asked for a sign to prove his identity on several occasions.

Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”

Matthew 12:38 (NIV)

However, when Jesus was asked for a sign to prove he was who he said he was, this is what he had to say.

“A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.”

Matthew 12:39 (NIV)

Even Jesus’ disciples asked him for a sign. However, the sign that they asked for was about his return.

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

Matthew 24:3 (NIV)

As Christians, we shouldn’t be looking outside the Bible for signs or portents for confirmation that the Lord has heard us. I’m not saying that the Lord doesn’t use things outside the Bible because he does. However, many years ago, I used to read horoscopes. Not just mine but all of them, and something I noticed, which you may as well, is that they are very vague. Often, they are so ambiguous as to allow the reader to interpret them as they see fit. While that was just my experience reading them, I’ve discovered that this is how we operate as human beings. If we want to see something, we see it. Yet, the call for every Believer is to walk differently in this life. What does Scripture tell us?

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)

When I think about walking by faith, I’m reminded of the Lord’s conversation with Moses when he told Moses to lead the Israelites from Egypt.

And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain” (emphasis added).

Exodus 3:12 (NIV)

The sign the Lord spoke of really wasn’t a sign. At least not in the way that we look for signs. When we look for signs, we look for something to give us instructions about where we are going. Something to tell us how to get there or warnings about the road ahead. God wanted Moses to understand that he didn’t need a sign. That God’s word was all Moses needed. All we need to know is that God will do what he said he would do and wherever we need to go, we’ll get there because he is with us. This is what I believe the Lord is telling us today.

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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