Calling Cards of His Spirit

Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read Matthew 12: 38-41 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

“Santa Stop here” says the sign by hopeful front doors. When our boys were young, we left out mince pies, a bottle of real ale, and a fresh carrot. So we had a sign that Santa and Rudolph had stopped by on Christmas Eve.

“God give me a sign” we find ourselves saying, like the scribes and the Pharisees.

The hearts of the people of Israel ached for the longed-for Messiah and Rescuer. A sign God was keeping his promises. All they got was a baby in a manger. A sign for those with eyes to see: ‘The Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the virgin is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel’ (Isaiah 7.14). 

Unlike Christmas crackers, God does not disappoint. There are no expiry dates on His promises. Yes, we see through a glass darkly for now. But all that He has promised will happen. 100% guaranteed.

We live in the tension that we haven’t yet reached the end when Jesus comes again and ‘his glory fills the whole earth’ (Psalm 72.19). But we glimpse it. We glimpse His glory. Out the corner of our eyes. A trailer of the 3D blockbuster movie which is to come.

“Earth’s crammed with heaven

And every common bush afire with God

But only he who sees takes off his shoes;

the rest sit round and pluck blackberries”

(Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

The signs of God are everywhere. I have got used to quietly treasuring these “ordinary miracles” or “God-incidences”. The calling cards of His Spirit.

Jonah was a sign for the people of Nineveh. He was to be a sign of judgement. But the twist in the fishy tale? The people of Nineveh turned to God. The sign of Jonah was buried and hidden in the ‘belly of Sheol’ (Jonah 2:1). The ultimate sign that the universe is being rescued… Jesus in the belly of hell—is buried and hidden. The sign that God is with you through the ups and downs this Christmas—is buried and hidden.