Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 18:20-40; Psalm 65:5-8; Exodus 12:40-42,51; Exodus 14:21-31; Exodus 19:16-25; Exodus 7:3-5
Seeing is not believing.
I ask for miracles all the time. I implore God for snow days, chase after lost causes, and jockey for acclaim. I ask God to change people. I ask Him to change me. And most of all, I ask Him to heal.
The possibility of miracles is such lush fruit to my imagination. It means that anything is possible. God could pop down, give a little nudge, and fix any problem. And when He doesn’t, it’s confusing. If He could do a miracle, why doesn’t He do one for me?
In preparing for this study, I noticed that Jesus doesn’t do miracles on command. He isn’t anybody’s trick pony. In fact, He blesses those “who do not see, and yet believe” (John 20:29), and He rebukes a generation that “seeks for a sign” (Matthew 12:39). And, man, I do love a good sign.
It seems if Jesus were just willing to do a bit of skywriting, all would believe and the world would be saved. It’s so much easier to ask for a sign instead of looking to the person of Christ, to hunt after what He can do for us instead of who He is. His miracles aren’t His message, but rather a testament to who He is. And even those who witnessed His miracles did not necessarily believe.
This study focuses on miracles performed by Jesus. But for a big picture, let’s step back and look at all kinds of miracles in the Bible. When reading any scripture, I ask myself, “What is God doing in this passage?” These passages on miracles make it easy to answer that question and learn more about the character of God in the process.
He is supreme and omnipresent: God shows His unearthly power when He scorches the dripping-wet sacrifices for Elijah at Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18).
He is sovereign and omnipotent: He is the Master of nature and quiets the storms (Matthew 8:23-27).
He is merciful and good: He is the source of our salvation (John 3:16; Hebrews 5:7-10).
He is holy and omniscient: He is the thundering presence on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19).
Miracles are one of the ways God expresses His “otherness” to us. They reveal Him in His power, and show us He is not like us. The rules of nature that bind us do not bind Him. The laws of a created world are amendable by the One who created it.
As we read through this study, think about what Jesus’ miracles tell us about His character. Remember that these are nothing less than acts of God performed by Immanuel, “God with us.” Although signs and wonders may not accompany every moment of our lives, the One who makes them possible does.
Such a good intro to this study. Love the food for thought, Do we want what He can do for us, or to get to know who He is? Looking forward to the rest of the study!
His reading definitely opened my eyes! What a great first read… can’t wait to see what the rest holds!
This is an incredible ‘Day 1’ Looking forward to the rest of this series and learning more about WHO GOD IS! Thank you for this!
I am one to always look for signs from The Lord…but, I am learning to delight myself in His presence..knowing that all other things “will be added unto me” according to His riches in glory!
Yes!! I am trying to teach my children to see God throughout their day.
His miracles are not merely for my benefit or needs. He shows His power and brings glory to Himself. How self-centered I am at times!
We might not always experience miracles on a regular basis, but the one who performs the miracles, is always with us. He will never leave us or forsake us. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
I love how it said God blesses those who don’t see yet believe. It’s so powerful! Also how God doesn’t show us miracles to send a message, he does it to show WHO he is. He is a powerful and loving God.
What really struck me as I read through these passages (and the devotional) today, is how God’s miracles in these situations were not just for His people (the Israelites) but also for others: His plan went far above and beyond simply protecting and providing for Israel, but also included opening the eyes of the rest of the world to His power and character. I so often pray for miracles solely for my own benefit, but now feel that I should pray that God would ultimately use them to point others to Himself as well!