March 23

SIGNS AND WONDERS
by Ray Prinzing

"Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion."                        (Isaiah 8:18).

Christ, and the children whom God hath given Him, are to BE (a state of being) signs and wonders.  Not that they are to run around in frenzied activity trying to do signs and wonders, but they are to BE that sign.  There is a difference in "doing" and being." The greater is to become God's miracle, not just to be a temporary channel through whom He performs some miracles.  When this sign-company has been fully formed in His image, then shall we see the life of Christ manifested through His people in ways which the world has never seen heretofore.

God is working a process in the "believer" which will be a sign to the universe, that all creation might behold the wisdom, power, and sovereignty of God in the redemption and restoration of that which has been bound to vanity and corruption.  The power of the Highest, which now indwells our poor earthen vessels, shall transform us completely, a testimony of His grace and love.

"I am a wonder unto many..." (Psalm  71:7).

"Like as My servant Isaiah...for a sign." (Isaiah 20:3).

"For I have set thee a sign unto the house of Israel." (Ezekiel 12:6).

Each of these, in their respective position and place, were used as a sign by God unto Israel.  A miracle of the hand of God moving through each individual.  So also God is now apprehending His chosen ones to become a sign, a witness to a higher and deeper life in God.  It is not the ministry of a sign to condemn, but to reveal and point to the greater.  Condemnation only results in death, but here is a positive uplifting and restoring into our god.  This is to shew "the more excellent way" of love's perfection.  To reveal that all the "in part" measures of good which the church has possessed shall be swallowed up and absorbed into the fullness of His more abundant life.

A sign to creation His sons shall become,
          That grace more abounds to fill up the sum.