Why can't You read the Signs?

Jesus asked this very important question in Luke chapter 12.  He indicated that most people had no problem reading natural signs like, "Red sky at night, sailors delight; red sky in the morning, sailors take warning."  This expression is as old as the Bible itself.  We know it to mean that a red sky at night is a sign that tomorrow is probably going to be a beautiful day; on the other hand, red sky in the morning means bad weather is on its way.


We can so easily read natural signs; so why can't we read other signs from God, like spiritual signs.  One day Jesus looked out over the crowds and was moved with compassion (Matthew 9:36).  He obviously saw great needs from many helpless people. He was reading a spiritual sign from God.  His heart was sensitive to the needs of others which stirred within Him a spirit of compassion.  Similar signs are all around us; but are we sensitive enough to see and hear them?


Last Sunday's message dealt with same question in terms of the great famine in the Horn of Africa (check out last Sunday's message at: www.newlifebaptist.ca ).  Over 400,000 people have crossed over the border from Somalia into a refugee camp near Dadaab, Kenya.  They have  settled into a makeshift community designed to handle only 90,000 people.

Could these people be the same type of crowd that Jesus saw in Matthew 9:36?  They certainly are helpless to the famine around them.  Not only are they victims of natural disaster, but also of the greed of evil men.  The innocent are trapped in the middle of political upheaval, crime, and violence.

Who will hear their cries?  Who will see the injustice being done to them.  Who will take notice of their squalor living conditions and empty stomachs?  Could this be a sign from God to rise up the Church to be a voice against injustice?  Do we have any spare change to give?

Sacrifice is almost a dirty word in our North American Society, but yet it should be a vibrant word for true people of faith.  One sure way to help people in the Horn of Africa is to sacrifice some of our own comfort in order to bring comfort to them.  May God help us to help others.  Amen!

-Leo