God’s power is evident in our daily lives and in the world around us. Consider the precision with which God has set the changes of seasons in motion, the regularity of the tides, or the timing of a sunrise.  Yet, He also reaches out to touch the lives of His children in countless and diverse ways, if only we are attentive enough to discern these blessings.  Yes, He tests us, but only to foster our spiritual growth. There are countless, praiseworthy miracles of God, unnoticed daily by even the most discerning of His children.

Must we expect God to prove Himself?  Who are we to expect God to step outside His created order?  God guides us through His Word (which never changes) and through His interactions and the miracles of our daily lives. If we fail to notice these, what more do we expect of God?  We must consider God’s fixed order in the universe. Without this, how can we ever have any stability in our lives?  Doesn’t God order the laws of gravity perfectly, or do we think we could do better? Can we humans control such laws in a better way than God does? Yet we count on those laws for our existence. How can we make any plans if God is not in them? Doesn’t God reveal His ways and stay consistent with them? Our faith in God’s ways is our anchor, providing us with reassurance and security in a world of uncertainty.

God is not capricious in His dealings with humankind. He has clearly established His ways, and He is faithful to them. God has revealed His ways, and we are to walk in them. The question is, how does God work through human responsibilities? Our role in God’s plan is not passive but active and integral. The natural order of the universe brings about His way. Somehow, He works through fallen humanity and a less-than-perfect church, orchestrating human affairs in such a way as to guarantee the outcome of the ages.  What impresses me is His timing and diversity of His benevolent actions and not so much His miraculous interventions–though they are fascinating to observe.

Notice how Jesus responded to those who insisted on a sign: “An evil and adulterous generation craved for a sign: and yet no sign shall be given to it, but the sign of Jonah the prophet.” (Matthew, 12:39).  Satan (the force of evil) wanted a sign too. He said, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down.” (Matthew 4:6). Jesus responded, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” (Verse 7, NIV).  We must use the Scriptures to guide and guard us against Satan’s temptation to force the Lord to prove Himself.

No, God does not owe us any more proof, for He gave us the most precious gift of all, His Son, to live God’s truth out on this earth in sacrificial love to save us (John 3:16). It is better to prove ourselves to God than demand He prove Himself to us. He continues to offer His guidance and presence daily by showing us big and little miracles as we discern His presence.  He has proven Himself to us, once for all time, by coming into our midst as the Redeemer Saviour.

We likely will be tested, not to harm us, but by our benevolent Father, to strengthen us spiritually, to give us faith in who He is, and to make us aware of His purpose to reconcile and forgive fallen humanity.  By turning from ungodly ways and diligently presenting ourselves approved as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, we demonstrate that we are correctly handling the Word of truth. (2 Timothy 2: 15).

Let us be conscientious in using the gifts God has bestowed upon us, for they are experiences that can only be attributed to Him. This book, Embraced by God’s Love and Light, is a testament to these gifts, as many contributors have testified. Let us not just expect signs and miracles, but let us be proactive and fruitful, using our God-given gifts for His kingdom in all we say and do. In this way, we will honour and praise Him.