Seeking Signs Versus Faith

It is easy to want a sign from the Lord.  But what is more important; signs and wonders or faith?  Faith is far more important because it keeps us going when the Lord seems a thousand miles away and our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling, also when we are facing circumstances, situations and trials that seem to be overwhelming in our lives.  The Word says without faith it is impossible to please God.

I think if most of us were honest we would have to admit that we seek God‘s hand more than we do His heart.  It is much easier to believe if we see the Lord’s miraculous works than just to live by faith.  But is that true?  

Think about this; remember the story Jesus told in Luke 16:19-31 about a very rich man and a poor man named Lazarus.  Eventually they both died and the rich man ended up in Hell, in agony, in the flames but Lazarus was comforted in Abraham’s bosom.  While the rich man was being tormented in the fire he remembered his five brothers and asked Abraham to send Lazarus to his house to his five brothers to warn them so they wouldn’t end up where he was in this place of torment.  

Then the Word says this in verses 30 and 31, the rich man speaking, “But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”  Think about how many of the Sadducees and Pharisees still didn’t believe even when Jesus was raised from the dead, because they were so set in their ways and so hard-hearted.  Is it wrong to seek miracles?  No, but if all we do is seek the Lord’s hands and not His heart then we will not be living by faith but we will be living by sight.  

Remember doubting Thomas said this in John 20:25, “The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”  You probably have heard this saying, “seeing is believing,” but in Thomas’ case seeing would not be enough.  He said he had to touch, feel and thrust but all this is not faith because faith is believing something you can’t see and hoping for something you do not have.  The Word says this about faith in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

There are many people like Thomas around that don’t believe the message when they hear it but they claim they would believe if they could just see a sign, but like I said that is not faith.  The Word also says in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  Faith is far more important than seeing signs and wonders.  Is it important that we see the Lord working in and through our lives?  Yes, but that cannot be our main objective because without faith, seeing and feelings would not bring about a faithful and consistent spiritual life.  Feelings come and go and feelings change often causing you to live a roller coaster existence, but faith will stabilize your life and keep you balanced in your walk with the Lord.  

The Bible also says in Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  This is very important, we need to listen when the truth is being preached, or taught, so that our faith will expand and become effective faith, faith that is demonstrated in our thoughts, words and actions!  I hope this will be an encouragement to all who take the time to read this.  May the Lord bless you and yours and may you have a great day!!