(Mark 16:20) And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
In the Christian community we hear so much about how the Lord gives confirmations of His will through circumstantial emphasis. This means God has spoken to us about something and then something happens to reinforce God’s will in that very thing. This strengthens the believer’s faith to keep pressing on in the call of God and the direction He is leading in.
When I travel on a road I am not familiar with, I love the confirmation I receive that I am on the right road to my desired destination. Sometimes I won’t see a sign for miles! I start to get a little nervous because I don’t want to get lost and waste time and gas money in doing so. Finally, a sign pops up that confirms I am indeed on the right path. Now I can relax and just enjoy the ride! This is so like the Christian life. A true believer will always have that desire to be in God’s will and will so often breathe a prayer for direction: (Psa 86:17) Show me a sign for good . . . (Psa 25:5) Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.
I love the story of Peter and Cornelius. In Caesarea, God gave the gentile Cornelius a vision whereby he was instructed to send for the apostle Peter in Joppa who would tell him what he must do. The next day, Peter received a vision on a rooftop where God spoke to him about not calling anything common that God has cleansed. Then there was a knock on the door from the men who were sent by Cornelius. Peter was prepared for this moment and did not hesitate to travel with them back to Caesarea where Cornelius was waiting. Peter preached to him and his household and the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the Word. They spoke with tongues and magnified God and were then baptized. Now that’s what you call a confirmation! Peter needed that because it was unlawful for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. (Read also another wonderful story of confirmation in 2 Kings 8:1-6)
When we are on the road God has for us there will be twists and turns, some bumpy pavement, and sometimes even a detour! We will need to be finely tuned to the Word of God that speaks to our hearts and the Spirit of God that leads us. If heaven is silent for a season, then it just means we keep going with the last thing God has spoken to us (“General’s last command”). Soon a sign will be presented to encourage and embolden us that we are on the right course.
How do confirmations come? It could be something very validating from our Bible reading, a teaching from God’s Word that we heard, from a friend, from unique circumstances that were undeniably used by God indicating His stamp of approval, and so forth. God doesn’t want us insecure and stumbling in the dark. Thank God for AFFIRMATION FROM CONFIRMATIONS!
Louie