We live in an interesting world today, don’t we?! It would seem that while ‘miracles’ abound – we have have Miracle Toner, Miracle Whip, Miracle Oil, Miracle Ear, Miracle Mops and even Miracle Cooling Sheets – much of our society really doesn’t believe in ‘miracles!’ I’m talking about the type of miracle where the lame walk, the blind see and the deaf hear again! Miracles!
The most common definition of a miracle throughout history has been “A Divine action that transcends the ordinary course of nature and so generates awe.” And by “transcending the ordinary course of nature,” this doesn’t just mean an unusually awesome sunset. This means something you would never expect to happen on its own. Pretty cool stuff.
For me it’s very easy to believe in miracles! I’ve been healed of stage IV, metastatic, terminal kidney/bladder cancer. I was given 3 to 6 months to live years ago. I am totally cancer free and plan on living to 103. For others it’s not so easy and they have to “see to believe.” And actually I’m good with that – just as long as they take the time to go and ‘see.’
I once had a couple in my life who didn’t believe in miracles but who said they were interested if they could be proven. “Not hard to do,” I told them. I brought them back a book written by doctors with X-rays & documented proof of verified healings. The result? They never even bothered to crack open the book and still insisted they didn’t believe in miracles. To bad I thought – their loss! Apparently miracles could happen 2,000 years ago but the same One who worked miracles then can’t seem to do them today? I’ve never understood why some people put a time limit on Almighty God.
There’s a story of a young preacher who was just starting out his ministry in the 1950’s. One day he was called to the home of one of his church families and was asked to pray for their infant son who had a large growth on his neck. The tumor had grown so big that it had begun to push the baby’s head to one side. They were going to the doctor the following day but wanted their pastor to pray over him first.
As he reached out to lay his hand on the growth the pastor realized these parents were looking to him as a ‘man of God’ – they weren’t looking for a simple blessing that all would go well at the doctor’s office. They were looking for a miracle…now!
Suddenly the pastor felt the crushing weight of his own inadequacy and as he placed his hand on the baby’s neck and he began to weep. He couldn’t say a single word but “Jesus.” As the tears fell he felt the growth under his hand begin to diminish in size and finally disappear altogether. Needless to say, no doctors appointment was needed the next day.
That pastor had faith. And faith is a funny thing. It’s what we have when we realize it’s not about us, but all about Him. Faith is recognizing our inability to do anything with our total reliance on Him. It’s striking that Jesus doesn’t emphasize how much faith you need to have – He doesn’t say faith the size of a mountain – instead He emphasizes if we only have the faith of a tiny mustard seed that’s enough to get us started.
George Muller was well known in 19th century England for his faith in God. He was also known for his orphanage at Ashley Downs. One morning it was time for breakfast and there was no food. In the dining room, long tables were set with empty plates and empty mugs. Not only was there no food in the kitchen, but there was no money in the home’s account.
So Mueller prayed, asking God for food for the children. Immediately, they heard a knock at the door – when they opened it, there stood the local baker. “Mr. Mueller,” he said, “I couldn’t sleep last night. Somehow I felt you had no bread for breakfast, so I got up at 2 am and baked fresh bread. Here it is.” Muller thanked him and praised God. Soon, a second knock was heard. It was the milkman. His cart had broken down in front of the orphanage. He said he would like to give them the milk so he could empty the cart and repair it. Only God…
I love this great quote by A.C.Dixon: “When we rely upon organization we get what organization can do; when we rely on education, we get what education can do; when we rely upon eloquence, we get what eloquence can do. But when we rely on prayer – we get what God can do.
Bob and Susan Beckett pastor The Dwelling Place City Church at 27100 Girard Street in Hemet, CA. For more information, you may contact them at DPchurchurch.org
