Scripture Reading: Matthew 11:2-5, Isaiah 61:1-3, John 2:11, Matthew 12:28-42
Most of us have been there. It’s not just painful, but confusingly painful.
Didn’t God hear?
Doesn’t He love me?
Did I not have enough faith?
Why wasn’t it a yes?
These are the questions we ask when the miracle doesn’t come.
Perhaps it was the cancer that wasn’t cured, the chronic illness that never healed, the marriage that couldn’t be saved, or the money that didn’t come through. In the absence of a miracle, these stories about Jesus can be tough to swallow. They can even feel cruel. Why are they here, if not to tease us?
God knows we feel this tension, which is perhaps why He included Matthew 11:2-5 in His perfect Word. Here, John the Baptist asks Jesus if He is, in fact, the “one who is to come”—the Messiah. Jesus answers with a clear allusion to Isaiah 61: “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up” (Matthew 11:4-5). He’s essentially saying, “Yes. All the things that were foretold, I am fulfilling them.”
Jesus’ answer to John tells us a lot about the purpose of His miracles: They are a sign of the prophecies fulfilled, a sign that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. They are a sign of His authority, His power, and His glory. And they are a sign of God’s love for us, a sign that we can trust Him.
But here’s what we shouldn’t miss about Jesus’ answer, because John certainly wouldn’t have. Isaiah 61 also says this of the coming Messiah: He will “proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (v.1). It’s a message of hope for prisoners, which is exactly what John was; John received Jesus’ message while sitting in a prison cell. And yet, John the Baptist was never set free. Three chapters later, he’s beheaded. Scripture tells us that when Jesus got word of John the Baptist’s death, “he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself” (Matthew 14:13).
Our God is not indifferent to our pain.
Matthew 11:2-5 contains all the power and the glory and the complexity and confusion of Jesus’ miracles. It attests to Jesus’ divine identity, but it also attests to the reality that miracles don’t always come. In this tension, we learn more about what Jesus’ miracles mean.
Jesus’ miracles weren’t only about Him, but about the Kingdom to come. Tucked into every miracle we can almost hear God whisper, “This is what the Kingdom is like. It’s complete healing, total wholeness, freedom, awe, and joy.” Miracles provide a foretaste of this in-breaking Kingdom, but they were never meant to replace it.
We’ll never have the perfect peace and restoration we desire this side of eternity, but miracles point to the place where we will.
Whenever we read stories of miracles, and grapple with their surpassing mystery, we can do so knowing our God is not casual or removed from our pain. Jesus’ very presence on earth reminds us that He entered into it, experiencing the pain along with us. Jesus joined us in waiting for the Kingdom, longing for the day when the need for miracles will be no more.
Sharon Hodde Miller is a writer, speaker, pastor’s wife, and mom of two boys. She is a regular contributor to Christianity Today and recently completed her Ph.D, which focused on cultivating the gifts of women in the church.
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134 thoughts on "Why Did Jesus Perform Miracles?"
Yes very truth word of God
So, as Christians, should we not pray that God’s will be done instead of what we want? What I want might not be God’s perfect will but I know God listens to me and loves me. He might answer my prayer according to my desires but then I have to live with the consequences. Are my desires better than His? I don’t know the future. What I think would give me happiness now could cause me or others grief in the long run. This is hardest for me when people ask that I pray for God’s complete healing for a sickness they, or a family member, has. I can’t bring myself to do this. What if a complete healing is not God’s will? I can pray and ask that God give the MD’s the knowledge they need to address the problem and that Jesus, as the Comforter, surround those suffering with His peace. Jesus loves us and like a parent with a child pleading for something, He wants to make us happy. He knows the future. We don’t. In my own life, I have pleaded with God for a certain job. I did everything within my power to make it happen – even when obstacles were placed before me. I kicked right through the obstacles, attributing them to Satan in his attempt to stymie God’s plan for me. I was so prideful it never occurred to me the obstacles were caution signs from God trying to protect me. I got the job. and it was a huge mistake. For two years, I tried to make this job God’s will for me. He was merciful and in spite of my ignorance and pride, rescued me from an impossible situation. Lesson learned. I stopped telling God I knew what was best for me and started confidently praying I wanted what He knew was best for me. “Perfect love knows no fear”. I live with the consequences of my choices but thank Jesus every day for His mercy.
I come up reference an olive offshoot in solitary around, and the freedom fighters gun in the other. Do not detonate the olive limb become lower from my hand.
http://www.edsheeran.co.uk
Jesus’ message to John leaves out the part in Isa. about releasing captives/freeing prisoners, so He was giving John a clear answer – ‘No, you will not be released…’ God’s will is often a mystery to me, as I spend time exercising my faith with expectations, asking for healing, release, miracles–& sometimes apparent receive answers that shake me to the core. I imagine God balancing the options on a scale of His great wisdom, discerning what will produce the greater impact for His kingdom purposes & eternity – & that greater weight often involves an answer of ‘No, not this time.’ Do I trust Him still – truly trust Him, rather than the gifts from His hand that I often seek? I think this is the essence of true faith & relationship with the one & only Almighty God.
Lord, blessed are those who believe without seeing. I know in my heart of hearts that You are alive. You are with me. Your are all-mighty, all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving. The enemy tries to (and sometimes does) convince me that I am unforgivable. My sins are too great, but, Father, when I give into those lies I am doubting and saying that You are not great enough, powerful enough, or big enough to save me. That is a complete and total lie. Remind me of this every single day. Show me Your will for my life. Break me till I am obedient to You and You alone. I desire for less of me and more of You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
I see that a few times Jesus tells us about hope, about how he is the bringer of peace ect but for those around him things still get worse… he saves them from storms and evil and harm but still his disciples went on to be killed.
I always have to remind myself God uses me in a bigger picture, a story I know nothing about.
God uses our pain, sadness ect for His glory – if I remember that when I’m down and out perhaps I wouldn’t feel so sorry for myself.
So encouraged by Jesus’ wonderful nature! Wow what a Savior!
So moved and enlightened by this study and it’s only day 2!
This is exactly how I feel!
I wish I believed God is indifferent, but that’s a hard thought to combat when there seems to be this distance. Idk the whole reason I’m doing this study is because I’m struggling spiritually, and I just wish I would be restored, but I’m not yet, and I can’t help but ask why?
Sending prayers your way Mel. Try not to think, but feel. It helps me to look into a sunset or beautiful sky and that’s when I feel Him most. I simply just say “Thank you” and my spirit is at ease again. I pray for a peaceful mind and that you feel His love in your heart.
Sweet friend, I’ve been there. Little did I know, He never leaves our side. Scripture says, “when you look for me you will find me.” We have to open our hearts, and sometimes surrender our pride and let go of our circumstances with all guards down to find his perfect peace! We don’t have to wait until eternity, or tomorrow, we have it within us! So call out to Him! He is waiting for you! He loves you immeasurably! And don’t let the fact that you’re struggling get you down! The whole reason he came was because he knew we wouldn’t be perfect, so through his perfect some we are redeemed! Our God is not legalistic, you don’t have to do an endless amount of chores, HE LOVES YOU regardless!
I loved the thought that Jesus joined us here on earth in the “longing for the day when the need for miracles will be no more.”
Im reading this and am all of a sudden slightly confused about the timeline of the interaction of Jesus with John the Baptist. Is John asking this “are you the one we’ve been expecting?” before having ever met Jesus? When did the meeting between the two occur when john sees Jesus and says “behold the lamb of God….” in relation to this imprisonment and this question. thanks all!
Lisa, John was a cousin to Jesus and Mary was close to his mother. They would have known each other. Much like we see our own relatives often in one way, I believe John’s question is more of a “Really, my cousin is the Mesiah?” type of reaction.
Lisa, Pastor Robert Morris, with Gateway Church, recently taught a message including this passage. Here’s a link to the message: http://gatewaypeople.com/ministries/life/events/relat10nship-finding-relationship-through-god’s-top-10/session/2017/05/06/the. If you click on “Message Only”, he starts talking about John the Baptist around 12:30.
My niece’s friend passed away today at 28 leaving a 10 month old. My mother asked me “why would God do this” I just sent this to her…
Notice that in Jesus’ response to John’s question, quoting Isaiah, He left out the phrase about the release of prisoners. So, He was subtly answering John’s question quite specifically – ‘Yes, I am He, but you will remain in prison & will not be spared.’ This is one of the most difficult struggles we face, when faith has been exercised – asking, seeking, & knocking have taken place; we can see how God would be glorified, yet the answer is ‘No, not this time.’ It can shake our very faith to the core. Yet those who who cling to the person of Jesus & not to the work of His hands, have hope that God will do more with an answer of ‘No’ for the sake of eternity than could have been accomplished with a temporal ‘Yes.’ It comes down to do we only want His provision, blessing, healing? Or, do we truly trust our God & His divine purposes, the often unseen will of God? Not easy for even the most mature believers…
Love what you said here! Trusting God means being willing to accept the “no’s” we receive in answer to our prayers as in His Will for our lives. Knowing that all is done for our good and His glory is a comforting truth to cling to, yet as you said, so often difficult to accept in the moment.
Matthew 12:36-37 is something that is hard for me to swallow. Anyone have any thoughts on those two verses?
Yes, I was just talking to my fiance about this last night. I have so much worry and fear regarding standing in front of God. Will I have done enough? I’m diving into the bible to give myself some comfort. Choosing to believe in a grace giving God.
Our God isn’t legalistic! Do we live our lives as best we can reflecting who He is, absolutely! Does he expect us to be perfect, I don’t think so. That’s why he sent His son! To be our propitiation! It was finished on the cross. He loves you no matter what. The main thing is that we are loving people as he did, spreading His joy and telling others about him!
“Our God is not indifferent to our pain.” This sentence grabbed my heart this morning. When I’m feeling small and invisible this truth will be an anchor.
Me too!
Just what I needed to hear yesterday- and today I reread it! Thank you! Jesus’ miracles point us to Heaven where we will experience the ultimate healing, wholeness and peace. This is what I keep reminding myself of because it’s so easy for me to forget. My human mind lives here on Earth and can’t totally embrace the life beyond. But no matter what happens here on Earth, Jesus wants me to keep my eyes and heart on Him, because He knows how easily I forget and despair.
Hey everyone! I’ve got a question…
31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
What does the verse above mean??
Hi Eunice! I found a commentary (Blue Letter Bible app) by David Guzik that helped me to understand this part. John 15:26 tells us that a ministry of the Holy Spirit is to testify to Jesus as Christ. By rejecting Jesus, people blaspheme against the Holy Spirit by calling Him a liar.
To me it seems to be one and the same to deny Jesus Himself or deny the testimony by the Spirit.
Hope that helps!
I interpret this to mean if there are is a sin we won’t let go of and we resist the conviction of the Holy Spirit then we are committing blasphemy. Our heart hardens because we are unwilling to release the sin to God. All sins are forgiveable, but it’s when we refuse to ask forgiveness and change that blasphemy occurs.
If John the Baptist had of been carnally minded instead of Kingdom minded, his life would have fallen short of the call God had upon him. It is not always easy to shift perspective from the ‘here and now’ to a kingdom mindset. I know I am so prone to selfish mentalities. I try to see God’s ways through my very limited perspective. God, help me to be kingdom minded, so I can live for you more fully.
I second that Lindsey…amen!
Here here!
This is a new perspective in that miracles are showing us the kingdom. I’ve always seen miracles as a way for God to point us back to his glory, his sovereign nature, and love for us. And while it is all those things, the reminder that this world is temporal needs to be there. We operate daily as if the world is our forever home. Miracles done and not done, remind us that His glory is seen at His time and we see wholeness in said glory when it does occur. While I don’t proclaim to understand all the mysteries of God, I know that He behaves as a parent. And as a parent, I do not honor every good thing for my child. There are reasons that I have, as a parent think, “While this thing may appear good for my child, it’s not the time”. I am by no means dispensing miracles, but I often think healing and solving everything we ask for (although well intended) isn’t in line with God’s full plan.
Thank you for this perspective, JB! It speaks to me on a parenting level most immediately, but what a great reminder for when I don’t see things as God sees them. I (as does God) desire to give my children good gifts, but for me there are sometimes physical limitations to the gifts I can give. Sometimes there is a lesson to be learned in the withholding. While I am nowhere near God in my reasoning, I appreciate (well, maybe not always…) that while I don’t understand His reasoning, I know the Lord is parenting me well, no matter what He gives me. Thank you again!
This is a really helpful perspective, JB! It’s easy to get so attached to our every request that we forget about God’s perfect wisdom as our Heavenly Father.
He still heals. Oh, the Kingdom of God… Psalm 33:9 … He spoke and it came to be !!
My heart is overflowing with gratitude for this study. I’m already thanking Him tonite for small progresses in family relationships that before I might have not have acknowledged but today I am observing as a “miracle wink” ;) from God. I am also deeply moved by all your thoughtful comments on today’s readings. I am praying for everyone who needs special requests noted… and for all in this study. Blessings as we go into Day 3!
This reading plan couldn’t be more perfectly timed. A few weeks ago now, I finally decided to trust in the Lord, and give my life back to Jesus. For the last 15 years or so, I lost my faith and let doubt and fear take over. I questioned whether God was even real, if the Bible was real, and for the reasons mentioned in today’s reading. If he IS real, why is there so much evil in this world? Why doesn’t he answer the most desperate of prayers? Why doesn’t he perform miracles when he could, and we feel like he should?
Today in my MOPS group, a women said something that got me thinking. After describing heart-wrenching loss of her first child, she explained how it caused her to question God, and his ability to perform miracles. What if he doesn’t intervene, because he knows we are faithful? He knows we can handle them, and that regardless of the outcome, we can trust in Him? He doesn’t rejoice in our pain, but he knows the ultimate plan. He sees much more than we do, he loves us and knows that if we trust in Him, we will have peace.
This sentiment has been resonating with me today as I try and process her interpretation. Obviously he has the ultimate control, he knows and sees all, but there is free will, we do live in a broken world, and we too are broken; all factors which can lead to negative experiences, situations, and outcomes. He doesn’t always step in and “fix” the problems that arise due to these variables, but he makes his presence known in the everyday, and I know if I let him, will get me through those times where I am questioning. Easier said than done, I know. But hearing this other person’s experience and interpretation has changed my perspective, and given me hope that I can overcome my doubt, and start this new chapter believing in Him; His goodness, grace, and wisdom.
Thanks for your perspective- very insightful.
Praising the Lord for you, Liz! What a beautiful testimony and encouragement. Thank you for sharing this today!
– Stormye
“Our God is not indifferent to our pain.” Sometimes I just need this simple reminder. Praise to Him for his unconditional and never ending love!
As I read this devotion today, I can’t fathom the negativity in this world. I am real bad to shut it all out and pretend it doesn’t go on nor happen, but then a little close to home event happens to remind me, yes indeed it is going on more than you want to believe or admit. We are surrounded by the devil…..he is creeping to steal. Steal lives, family, wholeness, faith, truth and commitment. I not only want to lift this world up, but gosh our uprising generations are being faced with such terrible peer pressure and the access that is given to them at such early ages is not helping. Where I live is facing a tremendous epidemic of drug overdosing right now. The heroine is absolutely horendous, but what’s worse is our children are being ultimately affected by this. (Scary) a guy my age today that I went to church with growing up was laid to rest at 34 due to a heroine OD. A father of 3 children, a boyfriend, a son, a brother, cousin, grandson, nephew, friend a guy who had a bright smile on his face. Handed a bad deck of cards for friends and hang out with the wrong crowds. Now gone. All too soon. Jesus, please intervene in this world. Grab a hold of us and shake us! Let us lead our children to fear you, yet love you so! And to have a heart of guilt, give them a concious to know right from wrong…..let us lead them to your word and may they desire to know more or you ! In your name I pray these words, Amen! Lifting up you and yours!
Reading Isaiah 6:3 again reminds me that God will always bring glory to His name. HIS, not mine.
This is something He’s been teaching me for almost a year now. Last year I realized my boyfriend was battling depression. I immediately started praying about it, encouraging him, and trying to figure out where he could go to get some help. We found a place we both liked and I was relieved when he actually agreed to call… only for him to find out that a former classmate of his worked there. So he was no longer comfortable going there. I couldn’t believe this had fallen through when it had seemed like my prayers were going to be answered so quickly. I continued to pray and looked into other options, but then he lost his job and grew even more hopeless.
Shortly after that, I found out about another doctor and got his direct number. I gave it to my boyfriend and asked him to call, but he was apprehensive and kept putting it off. When he finally did call, he couldn’t get through. Leave a message, I said. But he didn’t want to. I continued to pray. A few weeks later, he finally left a message. I remember feeling so overwhelmed with emotion and thanking God, thinking “Yes, this is definitely it now.”
The doctor never called back. And so there we were, back to square one. I kept praying. Then, I found out that the classmate no longer worked at the place he originally wanted to go to. I felt like God had made a way and immediately told my boyfriend about it. But by this time, he wasn’t too keen on seeing anyone anymore. I remember reading about Jesus going through locked doors to visit His disciples when I did the She Reads Truth Advent study in December. That day as I read that, I felt God deliver a truth and a promise right to my heart – that He’s able to go straight through our closed off hearts and meet us where we are. From that day forward, there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that healing would come. I just didn’t know when.
The depression seemed to be getting even worse and in January, my boyfriend told me he was doubting God and didn’t even know what he believed in anymore. I went to sleep that night crying out to God and shaking like a leaf. I felt so strongly that he was experiencing spiritual warfare. All these months, I had been trying so hard to help him, but I knew that God was the only one who could truly do that.
One night a few weeks later, I was caught completely off guard when he broke down during our phone call. He was sobbing and telling me that He needed Jesus, that he knew it was the devil trying to make him believe that he didn’t, and that he was calling this place to make an appointment. He had promised to before, but this time I knew it was different. And he did call.
I was so in awe of God that night because I knew I had witnessed a miracle. I smiled as I went to sleep because I knew it had to happen the way it did – when I least expected it. That’s how God works. He had to make sure it happened when I wasn’t trying to be the fixer because He wanted me to know that it was 100% Him and not me… that He deserved the glory.
I’m so thankful that I serve a God whose ways and thoughts are higher than my own. He doesn’t need my help to perform His miracles – He just needs my trust. If you managed to read all the way to the end of this, I hope it encouraged you to keep praying and trusting. Sometimes when we think God isn’t answering fast enough, He is actually making a way – the best way – for us. Sometimes when a perceived miracle doesn’t pan out, it’s because the best one is still to come. And through all of that, the true miracle happens: we learn to trust God and surrender our hearts to Him.
Thank you for your beautiful testimony. As a fellow “fixer”, I know how hard it can be to wait for the Lord’s time. I love what you said about the timing being for His glory.
Beautiful. Hugs and love, sis.
Today I read my scriptures and the text with a very heavy heart. I learned this afternoon that there was a suicide at a school I used to teach at and hold very dear to my heart. I did not personally know the student, but I am still so close with so many staff members, and former students. Reading “our God is not casual or removed from our pain. Jesus’ very presence on earth reminds us that He entered into it, experiencing the pain along with us. Jesus joined us in waiting for the Kingdom, longing for the day when the need for miracles will be no more.” resigned with me, and will as a say my prayers and sleep tonight. I can’t help but wonder that this child was hoping for a miracle she never received, and was not able to see that miracles she is given daily. Or possibly felt alone, and not knowing she could find peace and refuge in God. My heart breaks at the death of such a young soul, and for the mourning of those around her.
Praying for the family of this young girl. So sad for you and for those who knew her. Asking the Lord for comfort and peace in this hard time.
– Stormye
A foretaste, a glimpse, a promise…miracles are these things to the Kingdom of God. This position has struck me in awe! How amazing that our God has such a LOVE for us that he wants to show us our eternal “present” through his and his Son’s words/actions. I have taken from this reading today that miracles are the Father and Son’s way of keeping us yearning for everlasting life, yearning for that relationship with Him, yearning to be His child and to walk in His path! The miracles also allow us to trust that the Lord provides and will fulfill his promises…so when we read about judgement, heaven, and hell we know that God will follow through on the promises that he has laid out in the Bible concerning these things!
Lord, I will put my trust in you. All that you do is good and all that you do is part of your will. Through all things I will praise you and remind myself these words, “thy will be done.” Your plan is far greater than we can comprehend and your miracles are a testament to this. I pray that you continue to open our hearts to these miracles and studies; allowing us to grow closer to You, YEARN for You. Lord, we know that you will never leave us and I pray for any woman here that feels you are distant. Open our hearts so that we can trust in you with control of whatever situation is in front of us. You are the Way. In Jesus name, AMEN
Through every miracle that Jesus preformed was to show us who Jesus is and what Heaven will be like. “…It’s COMPLETE HEALING, TOTAL WHOLENESS, FREEDOM, AWE, and JOY!!!!!” Can’t wait for that day!!!
“Our God is not indifferent to our pain.” What a beautiful sentence to read for so many reasons. We are never alone for God is always with us. He is there with every struggle, heartbreak, etc. He notices, He cares, and He heals. I loved reading this today.
To be honest, right now I just feel empty. My husband and I just moved into our own place for the first time after nearly 6 years of being married, and this is something we have been waiting for for what feels like forever. But instead of feeling excited (which I should be!)…I just feel overwhelmed by trying to get everything settled in here and making it feel like home.
I’m at a spot where there all these things that I want. The biggest thing I’m wanting is to be able to rest in Christ and be fulfilled completely by Him, but I just don’t know HOW. I’m trying to spend time with Him, via here and spending time in the Word, but it’s still something that I’m making myself do. And I don’t want it to be that. I want it to be out of a true desire for relationship…and at this point, I’m still just wanting that desire.
Right now, I’m praying for the miracle of renewed relationship with Christ, that I may long for the day when I get to meet him face to face.
Oh friend, I have been where you are! I remember as a new mother, I wanted to desire Christ more and more! I have always had a very hard time getting up each morning. So I was determined. I started getting up before the children and praying and reading my Bible. Nothing happened at first, so I started searching for verses for my prayer requests and verses that I could pray for myself to desire Him more!!! I found two that have touched my heart forever.
Psalm 42:1-2. (As the deer pants for the water brooks so my soul pants for thee….).
Psalm 63:1-2. ( o God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly (or early). My souls thirsts for You…)
I prayed it over and over every morning and then the emptiness left and I began to desire God!! I was forever changed. Doesn’t mean that I don’t struggle getting up in the morning, because I still do) but my desire for Him is real
I was 26 at that time and I am 62 now. Never will give up on desiring Him more and more!!!! Sherree.
Rachel~ oh how I’ve been there sister. I so hear and feel your heart~
And even though my family and I are missionaries in Japan, I’m still so prone to ending up in that exact same place, and the questions of WHY God, what in the world is going on with me, with You?! start rolling in. But the miracle is that I’m not there right now because God has yet again pulled me out of the pit of my need for control and pursuing joy in other things besides Him. Between reading the psalms, where this exact situation is felt over and over again by the majority, and Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller (among other things), and running back to Jesus over and over again, God has been able to draw me back to Himself and away from false joy and empty idols on many many occasions. So I’m praying for you sister, that you too would experience the truth of Isaiah 61:1~4 for yourself in the time of your greatest need, truly experiencing freedom, comfort, and being released from this stronghold that has captivated your heart.
He will give a crown of beauty for ashes~ it’s what He does best and it’s at the core of His heart for us~ He’s got this :)
Thank you for your kind and encouraging comments, ladies. I will take your suggestions to heart as I strive to grow closer in my walk with Jesus :)
God is so faithful! Through trials, storms, suffering, times of joy and plenty, times of drought and valleys, He is faithful! Right now I am in a “green pasture.” Feeling my Savior’s presence, love, and seeing little miracles every day is bolstering me up for a valley in the future; this I realize! I am learning to soak in these “green pasture” days with gratitude and no foreboding at the trials and suffering to come in this imperfect world (Proverbs 31:25). Reading that John received Jesus’ message WHILE IN PRISON, and that he was NEVER FREED, actually having his life taken soon after, meant so much to me. John believed and was given encouragement, even though he never received the “miracle” of being set free from prison in the way he might have imagined. However, he was set free of this world and was rejoined with Christ in heaven soon after! Thanks for this reading, SRT! The encouragement is exactly what I needed during week-before-finals-week! :) I am reminded of the kingdom waiting for me beyond this life and I am reminded that the petty everyday things are nothing when compared to eternity with my perfect Savior!
I have a hard situation in my life that will only be solved by a miracle. Holding onto hope is really all I can do – well that, and continuing to pray for the situation. I’m powerless to make any change…only God can do that. I’m thankful to be able to dig in deeper and learn about miracles and why they’re important.
Lord, I lift up Tanya to You.. You know everything she is facing, You are compassionate towards her and You care so deeply.. in this time where You seem silent will You please give her faith that You are working on her behalf.. I pray for the miracle that she needs, it might be different than what she even thinks she needs, but give her peace and deep assurance that You are with her, You hear her and You are never going to leave her.. in Jesus name
Amen
As I watch my marriage disappear on the shore behind me, because of my missing miracle, I am comforted this morning.
-love from Anchorage Alaska
I’m so sorry, Sarah. I’m praying God’s continued peace and comfort to you through this time.
Sarah I am so terribly sorry, God truly does have a plan for your life. Praying for your heart and soul.
Sarah – praying that God will bring you comfort and healing in this difficult season (from a fellow Anchorage ‘she’)
This is beautiful. My mom has been battling pancreatic cancer since January. Friends and family have been praying for a miracle but her health has only worsened.
Lately I’ve asked myself the same question, am I lacking faith? Why hasn’t she been healed?
And yet, he continues to give me strength to face another day. We are still believing for a miracle.
Praying for you mother, Maria. Thank you for sharing this.
– Stormye
You have an awesome heart. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I am trying hard to focus on “what would Jesus do” in different situations that have come up lately in our family. I have felt slightly disrespected, hurt, and taken advantage of by other family members. If I am honest, I’d like to behave badly in return, but I keep going back to that one question, “What would Jesus do?” It really helps me to refocus and try harder to be better.
“We’ll never have the perfect peace and restoration we desire this side of eternity, but miracles point to the place where we will.” Miracles pointing to the eternal life we were promised instead of a comfortable life on earth. Great teaching point against the prosperity gospel!
So true Evie!
I also never read that scripture about John in that way. So profound. I’m always amazed by the obedience Jesus had. It was literally always about his Father’s will. He walked the straightest path the world has ever seen. The fact that he did it is a miracle in itself.
I think the fact that God walks with us today is a miracle in itself too. We have all been Judas, yet God is forever faithful. I think his unconditional love is the greatest miracle we can receive in our lives. And although John wasn’t freed physically, I would like to believe Jesus’ confirmation freed him mentally and spiritually. John got to see the miracle he obediently preached. He went to his death knowing his life was not in vain and that he had served his purpose. What a relief. Perhaps he knew it was his time. Perhaps he even died with joy.
That’s what I aspire to. Certainly not execution lol. But to live a life of love demonstrated by Jesus. To remind myself daily that no matter what happens, God is by my side. There is heaven in trust. I hope to experience that heaven before I pass.
I love what you said about John being freed by Jesus’ words and how Heaven is in our trust. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful words & thoughts!
This devotional is such a blessing! I am really finding myself meditating on the miracles in a new way.
I love how it implies how miracles are little pieces of what it is like in heaven – being perfect following a challenging life on the Earth.
*aren’t getting the answers they desire..
In the face of the unanswered prayer for that miracle in which we seek, let us not forget the miracle every believer gets in our futures.. heaven.. the greatest miracle ever is life eternal with Him for in His presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore.. Father for my sisters who are suffering and begging You for their miracle.. I pray You grant them their requests..oh how are humanity wants all things good.. but in our limited ability to see the full panoramic view of our lives and what You are working in and through them, we trust You with the no and the wait answers.. grant those whom I pray for peace in the midst of heartache and confusion.. faith even though they are getting the answers their desire, patience to continue waiting and perseverance to keep seeking, keeping asking, and keep believing Your best for them.. please wrap Your arms of love tightly around them this day and comfort hearts in ways only You can..
in the life giving name of Jesus I pray.. amen
My aunt had a stroke 3 weeks ago. And her recovery hasn’t been anything short of miraculous. The doctors are amazed and, even though she isn’t fully recovered, she she was discharged yesterday.
Unfortunately, selfishness and Evil has been looming over our extended family during this time. And for some reason we as a family, my mom and I, have been targets of their selfishness, hypocracy, and Evil.
My cousin has unleashed all his anger and hurt on my mother. And yesterday we were caught up in the biggest of storms. He got upset and he kicked her out with my aunt’s house. We were devastated , we couldn’t understand why God allowed for this to happen.
Then in the quiet and calm of our home, we thought of Jesus and we praised our God because he’s no stranger to the pain that we were feeling. Knowing Jesus experienced all this and more, feels miraculous.
We saw reflected in him what our lives could be like without Jesus. We saw the evil and the brokenness of those that don’t have the Spirit in them.
And thanks be to God, for the miracle of washing us clean and making us a new creation.
“The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” —Matthew 12:35
We’re still praying for a miracle. That my aunt would get to know God in a deep, personal way and praise Him for what He’s been doing in her life. All this, in spite of the people she’s surrounded with.
Tochi, praising the Lord for your aunt’s recovery and praying for reconciliation with your family in this extremely trying time. Thank you for sharing this and letting us know how to approach the Lord on your behalf. Grateful for you.
– Stormye
I’m so sorry you’re going through this trial in your family. How awesome that you can turn to God and trust in Him through it all.
I enjoyed reading today’s scriptures and message! Jesus came and performed the miracles that were predicted that he would do! I believe that God still performs many miracles everyday we just look for the larger ones even though the ones he performs are small and can be indifferent to most!
i never thought about it that way.
Goodness. So powerful. So good. I didn’t see the miracle of Jesus healing my 2 year old nephew from cancer, even though we asked and prayed and believed for it. Yet I still pursue him for a miracle of my own. Even when he says “no” he is still good.
Lord, help me trust you. Help me to know that you are the author of miracles and that your miracles are an opportunity to show YOUR glory.
http://www.in-due-time.com
Posting one more time because of its beautiful relevance:
My favorite C.S. Lewis quote:
“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
What book is this? ◡̈
The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis
Love this quote. Thank you for sharing.
“Jesus’ miracles weren’t only about Him, but about the Kingdom to come.” – I love that when Jesus was here on Earth He was constantly looking forward, constantly pointing those around Him forward. It reminds me that sometimes our minds and hearts get stuck in the here and now. Sometimes we forget to look forward to the day when all the pain and sadness we endure will be worth it. I love this reminder today. May we never forget to look forward to the promise of eternity with our Father!
http://www.littlelightonahill.com
Miracles may not always come to us because we may not be the ones who need it (even if our circumstances say otherwise). Sometimes the miracle that we were longing for occurred in the perfect moment that saved someone else or changed their life. Walking with Jesus, I realize we ARE the miracle. Aside from the power that God holds and what He’s capable of, we, His people are a part of that miracle. To live in a world that’s so broken where we may have certain moments where we crack and yet, we are not phased because we know this is not our real Home. Our haven, our HOME, is in Heaven. While we’re here on Earth, we are tested time and time again with our anger, our sorrow, our grief, everything…. but one thing that can never break is our Faith. Because even though we may not see the miracle, we know they exist and we are a part of a greater miracle that sometimes we don’t even recognize. Maybe you’re the miracle is someone else’s life because that’s how God works and uses us. He gives us a purpose even when we fight to try and find on ourselves. He is our miracle and we have become a part of it.
This is so lovely. Thank you for sharing your perspective!
May I have permission to use your words in a card I a writing to someone? Thank you for your inspiring thought. Sharing the love of Jesus
Adrienne
This is beautiful! “He is our miracle and we have become a part of it”–such a great reminder! Thank you for sharing!
Today’s readings held so much newness, encouragement and power. The realization of johns imprisonment blew me away and Jesus’s response and sadness. In the Matthew section where he is listing off all of the miraculous healings, I am just really meditating on his response to poverty: the good news. Not financial gain or a new house. Just the gospel. Because as the passage in Isaiah highlights, all of these things are “that He may be glorified.” So much to think on and pray through today – so thankful for this study already!
Just having come out of Easter weekend I have been thinking of how real Jesus’ pain on the cross was – He experienced more earthly pain than many of us can even comprehend. Lacerations on His back, thorns piercing His head, nails driven all the way through His feet and hands…and with no way at all to alleviate any of the pain. Can you imagine?! But He remained faithful and with Psalm 22 He cried out to God. What an amazing reminder that God DOES understand our pain and He DOES answer our prayers, always. When it is tempting to turn our back on God during hard times we can remember that He suffered the pain for us and is with us wherever we go, His promises always faithful. This is amazing!
We have a faithful God, Amen!
Thank you for sharing this, Jeanelle! So encouraged by your words this morning. Grateful to have you in the SRT community.
– Stormye
Amen!
Amen, thanks for sharing!
The lame walk.
I’ve been highlighting this particular miracle in my Bible for the past year, since I learned that my son may never walk. I don’t pray that God will perform this miracle for him, though it would be lovely. There are other things that are much more important. But the promise of the Kingdom to come…It gets me every time.
This is such a wonderful message Bonnie. Sending love to you and your sweet son.
Bonnie,
What a great hope for your son! Praying for you both as you navigate this struggle. It is amazing to serve a God that gives us hope for a better future than this broken world!
Just added my prayer!
28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Jesus was heaven breaking through on earth. His miracles show his Kingdom power. It is the already/not yet paradox of Christian hope. The Kingdom is here, but it’s fulfillment is not complete. And now, as a disciple, I am ushered in to work along side him in bringing his Kingdom out into the open here on earth. Such a humbling and exciting gift to participate with him!
I’ve never thought about the fact that John was wrongly imprisoned and Jesus, his own cousin, did not get him out. What must Elizabeth have thought? Mary? Come on, Jesus – he’s your cousin. Just a little miracle, please? And I never noticed that Jesus went away by himself after John died. Wow. He must have grieved to lose John. As a man. On the earth. Jesus probably had desires and urges (earthly) that He needed to overcome in favor of God’s will. I hadn’t seen this one before. He didn’t go around saving and healing his best friends – for the pure joy of it. He healed where it would give God the best glory, and when there were people who needed to hear the Truth and see the Way. I never before considered that because Jesus came to do the will of the Father, maybe He didn’t get every miracle He wanted either. wow.
Me either! It was new to me as well….thankful for this revelation this morning!
Very insightful!
I never saw it that way so insightful!
Thank you!
Wow, Jennifer! Thank you for such a wonderful insight.
Love what you said about Jesus submitting to the will of His Father. Thanks for sharing!
persoective is truly amazing. i have never thought about the fact that Jesus had the power to perform the miracles he wanted, but had to choose not to fulfill them. thank you!
Love your thoughts!
I have a question, is it possible that maybe we have become “miracle-blind?” when we do witness one, do we just say “oh that’s a God-thing”……have we watered down miracles to where getting a great parking spot when shopping is the looked upon the same – “a God-thing.” I guess what I’m getting at is there ARE miracles happening everyday (just as we have read in Tina’s experience) almost every miracle Jesus did was a renewal of a fallen creation – miracles show his power over nature and a fallen world…..believing in Christ not because he is a superman but because he is God who continues to love us enough to embrace us from this fallen place……I believe miracles do happen around us everyday, maybe it’s the poor, the weak, the lame, crippled, the orphaned, blind,deaf, or with someone with another desperate need that are able to see them more clearly. Open my eyes God to Your Kingdom pointing miracles.
Interesting thoughts, Wendy. Thanks for sharing.
Day 2 and already such a profound blessing! Thank you SRT for the study guide with the questions – helps me to not just read the Scriptures and move on, but really ponder them. I am listening and He is speaking through you all. And yes the devotion on John being set free, though it hardly looked like freedom, impacted me this morning. I’m so often way too earthbound. The devotion reminds me to keep that heavenbound focus. Thank you!
We’ll never have the perfect peace and restoration we desire this side of eternity, but miracles point to the place where we will.
Not to go on about my journey to and with Jesus… I would like to share with those not knowing how I got here… to this point, this day.. this place..
When my daughter was poorly, I prayed. Healing for her. I prayed grace upon her. I prayed God be in the sad, sorry, heart breaking situation we found ourselves…
God called her home … still
I cannot begin to tell you the hurt in my heart, or the sorrow I felt, or the anger I had for God, to the point where I would go to my local church and stand at the altar and rant and rave at Him.. I would shout accusations and use words of injustice… And of lost hope at God..
But God…
When I thought He was punishing me for my wrongs, when I thought he had closed his ears to the cry of a heartbroken mother, when I thought I was not worthy of His attention… took me, one day, exhausted from my rantings, in His arms, and showed me in a dream where my daughter was, she was running through a beautiful, beautiful meadow, looking towards me, shouting..’ I’m alright mum, and I’m happy…’ God showed me she had been healed.. For 1), she was running, something she struggled with, 2). She stood at least 2/3 inches taller, she was always hunched in pain.. 3) she truly was happy… a from the heart kind of happy…
I knew, I did not think that thought. I couldn’t have in my anger, but I also didn’t work out that she had been healed until some time later, when of sound mind, I thought about that dream.. You know, for me, my daughter dying wasn’t the answer I wanted for my prayers…
But God.. He also knew the pain she would continue to suffer if he gave me my Yes, I realise now how fleeting this life is.. how so hang on by a piece of thread it is… how delicate. How precious…
Jesus answered my prayers long before I prayed them.. He gave his life that my daughter would live, in eternity, that i would have and live in Hope.. that I would sing forever and always of His great Love, His most amazing gift of life everlasting…to come…
Thank you Jesus. Thank you…♡
Forever I will praise Him.. Amen..
Amen..
Sisters. Sending each and every one love and hugs. May your days be totally and absolutely be blessed..xx
Sending you so much love and so many prayers , Tina. <3 I'm so very sorry for your loss. xx
Oh Tina. Thank you for this. I so need this study and your comment today. Love and blessings to you.
Wow what a testimony. Thank you for sharing. Praying for you xx
Much love and many hugs, dear sister. Your words definitely spoke to me today.
“He also knew the pain would continue if he gave me my Yes”.
Wow! What a realization! Sending you my love and prayers. Thank you for the opening of your heart and sharing with us your journey. I have so much to learn.
Thank you, thank you for this beautiful vulnerability. Praise God that He still comes to us in visions and dreams and whispers – I don’t know where I would be without the Spirit showing up in that way for me. Blessing to you, sister!
I’m always encouraged by your comments and thoughts, Tina. Now I’m thankful to know this part of your story. What grace and truth you shared today. I’ve know the anger, ranting and raving at God. I’ve also found the peace in the even though. No, He didn’t save. For me, it was my Daddy. He didn’t give my Daddy new life. But through my Daddy’s death, He gave me life. And Hope. Thanks for sharing today, Tina.
Thank you so very much for sharing your story. Prayers & love to you, Tina.
Tina, I love reading your comments. Your faith is so encouraging. Thank you for sharing. God bless you and keep you.
My tears are added to yours today – for the sadness of your loss and for the joyful realization of your daughters peace. Hugs.
Tina, your words are so beautiful and timely. While my heart aches for your loss, I am so grateful that the lord is using your story to speak truth into the lives of others. Thank you for sharing today.
Tina, thank you for sharing. Love to you.
Sending you so much love and prayers Tina! Such a strong woman ❤xo
Tina, I have read your testimony many times. I have ached in the thought of your pain. But you have to know, your words are such a blessing. For this reason alone, your daughter’s passing and your vision has helped heal and comfort many broken hearts, including mine. That in and of itself has been a far and wide reaching miracle! Tina, I don’t think you really know how loved and respected you are on this SRT forum. When you are not here, and maybe taking a needed break of your own, you are greatly missed. I seek out your comments, thoughts, and personal devotional every day. Lord, bless Tina and her open heart! Thank you for your love and honesty. Much love from me and this beautiful SRT community ❤️.
I second this 1,000%!!! Tina, you are LOVED!
Tina thank you so much for sharing today! Praising God for your daughters ultimate peace and restoration. You have a beautiful testimony.
Tina, I know it may be difficult for you, but I love your story. God is so amazing. Prayers for your continued peace my friend. From Pennsylvania, USA. Tricia ❤
Please don’t ever stop sharing your story. It is always such a blessing!
Thank you for sharing this, Tina. Always touched by your story and encouraged by your words. So grateful to have you in this community.
– Stormye
I never, ever comment here but your post moved me to tears. Thank you for being vulnerable and for sharing such a heartbreaking, beautiful picture of God’s faithfulness. Your story will stick with me for a very long time.
It’s only day two of this study, and I am already finding myself looking at miracles of today, and the miracles Jesus performed here on earth in a completely different way. I often overlook how truly amazing the miracles we read about in scripture are, and how each one gives us a glimpse into God’s character. I guess I’ve always read about them and continued on without really giving them an extra thought, or would hear about them in a group study or at church, and think “that’s nice, that’s pretty amazing what He was able to do for them at the time..” but never before had I really thought about that the miracles of Jesus give us more insight on who He is, rather than just what He did. I really loved too how today’s study focused on one little paragraph in Matthew, but showed just how powerful four verses can be. Again, thank you so much to the ladies who put these studies together! :)
I never noticed that this message from Jesus goes to John the Baptist while he is literally a prisoner, that’s so powerful – Jesus letting John know he is being set free even though he never experiences earthly freedom again. Thank you for showing me something new in this passage!
[I love SRT and even though I hardly ever comment, I am so thankful to God for the knowledge of this community of women reading God’s word alongside me every day]
We love you too, Katie! So glad to have you in our community.
– Stormye