“We see not our signs. There is no more any prophet:
neither is there among us any that knows how long.
O God, how long shall the adversary reproach?
Shall the enemy blaspheme your name for ever?”
Psalm 74:9–10
In our time, the body of Christ and the world are both in poor condition. The precious name of Jesus is greatly scorned by the world, and the miracles and gifts of the Spirit which should be the norm among God’s people are rarely seen. “We do not see our signs.” as the prophet said of his day, the signs that Jesus said would be among those who believe:
Mark 16
17. These signs shall accompany those who believe: In my name, they’ll cast out demons; they’ll speak with new tongues;
18. they’ll take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it won’t hurt them; they’ll lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
A body of Christ without power is a joke to this world. The world is emboldened to blaspheme the name of Jesus and scoff at the gospel when God’s children lose their power and start preaching a “word only” gospel. “The kingdom of God”, Paul said, “is not in talk, but in power.”
The prophet who wrote Psalm 74 knew why his generation did not see their signs: God had withdrawn His power from His people, and the prophet desperately wanted God to bring it back: “O God, why have you cast us off for ever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?” (Ps. 74:1).
Let us seek God for a restoration of His glory among His people so that the name of His Son Jesus will again be feared and respected by men, and so that we might be healed and be true witnesses for Jesus. Without God’s miracle-working power, none of that can happen.
