Isaiah 8:18 is a profound declaration of divine purpose and identity: “Here am I and the children whom the LORD has given me! We are for signs and wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, who dwells in Mount Zion.”
We thank God, the Lord of all creations, who has counted us worthy to witness the sixth month of the year 2025. To God be the glory. The theme for this month is Signs and Wonders.
Isaiah 8, verse 18, emphasizes that Isaiah and his children were meant to serve as signs and wonders—symbols of God’s presence and prophetic messages to Israel. Isaiah’s children, such as Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (Isaiah 8:3) and Shear-Jashub (Isaiah 7:3), had names that carried prophetic significance, warning Israel of impending judgment and restoration.
Signs and Wonders are manifestations of God’s Power. The Bible is full of accounts of God demonstrating His power through signs and wonders. These are not merely magical tricks, but divine interventions that reveal God’s presence, affirm His message, and accomplish His purposes. They serve to confirm His Word, establish His authority, and draw people to Himself.
I. Signs and Wonders in the Old Testament: Confirming God’s Deliverance and Presence
In the Old Testament, signs and wonders were associated with God’s mighty acts of deliverance and His covenant relationship with His people.
o The Exodus: The most prominent example is the Exodus from Egypt. God sent ten plagues upon Egypt, each a powerful sign of His judgment and His power over creation, culminating in the miraculous parting of the Red Sea. (Exodus 7:3; Exodus 14:21-22).
o The Wilderness Journey: Throughout their forty years in the wilderness, God continued to perform wonders, providing manna from heaven, water from a rock, and protecting them from their enemies. (Deuteronomy 34:11-12)
o Prophetic Ministry: Prophets like Elijah and Elisha also performed miracles, demonstrating God’s power over nature, sickness, and even death, validating their prophetic messages. (1 Kings 18:38-39).
II. Signs and Wonders in the New Testament: Attesting to Christ’s Authority and the Kingdom of God
In the New Testament, signs and wonders primarily attest to the identity and authority of Jesus Christ and the inauguration of God’s Kingdom.
o Jesus’ Ministry: Jesus performed countless miracles – healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, calming storms, multiplying food. These were not only acts of compassion but also powerful signs that the Kingdom of God had drawn near, and that He was indeed the Messiah (John 20:30-31; Matthew 11:4-5).
o Apostolic Ministry: After Jesus’ ascension, the apostles continued to perform signs and wonders through the power of the Holy Spirit, confirming the truth of their message and the resurrection of Christ. Acts 2:43; Acts 4:29-30).
III. The Purpose of Signs and Wonders
Signs and wonders serve several key purposes:
• To Glorify God: Ultimately, all manifestations of God’s power are for His glory, revealing His majesty, sovereignty, and love.
• To Validate God’s Messengers: They confirm that those speaking or acting are truly sent by God.
• To Confirm the Word: Miracles authenticate the truth of the message being proclaimed.
• To Draw People to Faith: They often lead to conviction and belief in God.
• To Demonstrate God’s Presence and Power: They remind us that God is active in the world and capable of doing the impossible.
Conclusion
The history of God’s interaction with humanity is a history of signs and wonders. From the creation, the parting of the Red Sea to the resurrection of Christ, these powerful manifestations of God’s power serve as a constant reminder of His presence, His authority, and his unwavering commitment to His people and His plan. They call us to a deeper faith, a greater trust, and a recognition that with God, all things are possible.
PRAYERS
Let us come before our magnificent God, who continually reveals His power through signs and wonders.
1. Almighty God, we look back through history and see Your mighty hand at work, from the plagues in Egypt to the resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. You are the God of signs and wonders, and You remain the same yesterday, today, and forever. We praise your name.
2. We pray that You would manifest Your glorious presence and power in our lives, our churches, and our world today.
3. Father, let Your Spirit move in such a way that Your name is glorified, and many are drawn to You, in the name of Jesus, who performed many signs that we might believe. (Exodus 7:3; John 20:30-31).
4. Merciful Father, You are the great Healer and Deliverer. We pray for a fresh outpouring of Your healing power, that the sick may be made well, the lame may walk, the blind may see, and the deaf may hear, according to Your perfect will.
5. We also pray for deliverance from all forms of bondage – spiritual, emotional, and physical. May Your liberating power break chains and set captives free, so that Your love and compassion are undeniable. (Matthew 11:4-5; Acts 4:30).
6. Lord, we ask for boldness to speak Your Word without fear, just as the apostles did. Empower us with Your Holy Spirit, that our proclamation of the Gospel may be accompanied by signs and wonders, confirming the truth of what we say. May Your mighty deeds awaken faith in the hearts of those who hear and see, leading them to repentance and salvation. (Acts 4:29-30; Mark 16:20).
7. Heavenly Father, we pray for discernment to recognize Your authentic signs and wonders, and to guard against deception. Help us to test the spirits and to always align our understanding with Your Word. May our desire for Your power be rooted in a deep love for You and a commitment to Your truth, always pointing to Jesus Christ as Lord. (1 John 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:9).
8. Gracious God, we thank You that You are not a God of the past, but a living God who continues to work wonders in the present age. We thank You for every healing, every deliverance, every transformed life, and every miraculous provision that testifies to Your active presence in Jesus’ mighty name. (Hebrews 13:8; Acts 2:43).
May the Lord continue to perform signs and wonders in our lives in Jesus’ mighty name. Welcome to June 2025, the month of Signs and Wonder.
Yours in the Lord,
Pastor Lillian Haastrup
