Miracles

“I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.  ….

Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people."

(Psalm 77:11, 14 KJV)

What sorts of images, thoughts, or words come to mind when you hear the word miracle?  How open are you to believing without knowing the how or why something extraordinary has happened? 

The dictionary defines miracle like this:  “an extraordinary or unusual event that is considered to be a manifestation of divine or supernatural power.” 

I wonder what it would have been like to be present at one of Jesus’ miracles.  Would I have understood the significance of the event?  Would I have believed?  What about you—would you have believed what you saw Jesus do, such as restoring to life an only son of a widow (see Luke 7:11-17)?

Many people saw Jesus’ miracles with their own eyes yet couldn’t believe or wouldn’t believe.  The religious leaders demanded signs and wonders from Jesus to be delivered on their terms and their timing, when He refused to comply; they reviled Him all the more.  Perhaps we don’t see miracles today because we’re demanding a sign, want to see a show (be entertained), or simply don’t believe what we see when we see it.  How many times have true miracles been explained away?  How many times has our lack of belief hindered others (or ourselves) from receiving all our Heavenly Father desires to provide us? 

Imagine for a few moments what it would have been like to see one of Jesus’ miracles.  There are many to choose from:  healing, power over nature, and raising the dead.  What would you be thinking?  How would you process what you saw?  Which of Jesus’ miracles fascinates you the most?

Jesus’ miracles that most fascinate me are those where He healed people with physical disabilities.  Even as a little girl, I was captivated by those amazing, wonderful stories.  At that point, I readily believed that Jesus healed (healing will be a topic of a future post), just as easily as He turned water into wine, fed the 5,000, walked on water, or calmed a storm.  For a time, my belief in the supernatural waned—I no longer believed—due to personal experiences and incorrect teaching.  However, for the last several years my belief in the supernatural has grown and continues to grow today.    

What miracles are you currently praying for and longing to receive?

What miracles have you observed?    

What miracles have you prayed for and did you experience what your heart longed for? 

What about those miracles you didn’t see (John 4:48 see here)? 

Do you believe without seeing?   

Spend some time reflecting on the miracles that Jesus performed while on earth.  Reflect on the miracles you’ve experienced, as well as those you are longing to experience.    

Dear Amazing God, thank You for all the miracles You have performed around us and continue to perform.  Open our spiritual eyes to the miracles You perform around us each day.  We joyfully remember the miracles You have performed throughout history.  There are so many needs for the miraculous that we hold in our hearts—You know each one so well—prepare us to receive those miracles.  Thank you for being the God who performs mighty miracles.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen. 

From my heart to yours,

Kim