Do you believe in miracles? I do. God sent His son Jesus Christ to make miracles visible. Jesus hasn't given up His ministry of performing miracles. I find it miraculous that a wall that looks completely solid is in fact, not solid at all. It is made up of atoms, the basic building block of our world. The inner structure of an atom looks like a tiny solar system. At its center is the nucleus which is circled by electrons and has lots of 'open spaces' in between. The chair you're sitting on isn't solid either, it just appears to be. I learned this years ago in a college chemistry class.
I find nature miraculous; the incredible colors of the fall season, the new growth we see in the spring, animal life of all kinds. Also, personal things like our five grown kids, two of whom live 3,000 miles away, were recently here together to celebrate their dad's birthday. We haven't all been together at the same time in the same place for a very long time. I classify this as a minor miracle and praise God for making it happen.
When I think of big-time miracles, I'm reminded of a man named Lazarus. You will find this story in John, Chapter 11. He was a special friend of Jesus and the brother of Mary and Martha. Lazarus became very sick and his sisters sent for Jesus because they had the faith that He could heal him. When Jesus heard the news about his friend's illness, He said . . .
"This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." John 11:4
Yes, God orchestrates our life to draw us to Him so we will believe. Jesus was in no hurry to respond to Mary and Martha's call for help. It was actually not until four days later that Jesus appeared on the scene. Jesus told His disciples . . .
"Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe." John 11:14
Many of us are not able to believe until we've seen a miracle. If you are one of God's sheep, He'll do whatever it takes to bring you into the fold. He has promised that none of His sheep will perish. The Lord can be very dramatic at times. There is nothing subtle about bringing a dead man to life. Lazarus had been buried in a tomb for four days. Jesus told them to open the tomb. When they did, there was the smell of decaying flesh. There was no doubt that this man was dead, not just 'asleep'. Jesus performed miracles so that we would know that He came from God and is God.
Jesus called into the tomb, "Lazarus, come out!" And he walked out with his grave clothes still clinging to him - alive and well. This is more of a miracle than most of us can imagine. We now know there are 50 trillion cells in the human body. Jesus recreated and restored these cells to perfect function. Research scientists break information down into 'bit units' . The information contained in a single human cell is 20 billion bits. The complexity of the human body is central to God's creation. Calling Lazarus back to life was like creating the universe thousands of times over in an instant with three simple words from Jesus. Thank you to our retired pastor, Charlie Ivans for this detailed information.
Many will laugh and scoff and say "That's just a Bible story." God has written a whole wonderful book of stories to help us understand who He is and what He has planned. He has used real people and events to illuminate those who will come to know Him personally. Here's another amazing truth that falls into the category of 'Miracle'. We cannot see what is true unless God reveals it to us. When the Holy Spirit comes to us our mind is opened to the truth. It's the only way we can see the truth.
"The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic."
Psalm 29:4
Do you know that Jesus, part of the Triune Godhead, was there "In the beginning. . . and through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." John, Chapter 1. When a storm whipped up the waves, He simply rebuked the waves and the waters became calm. When Jesus spoke, the blind could see, the lame could walk and terrible diseases were cured. This was a testimony to who He is; God in the flesh.
We can know this God-man, Jesus. He's alive and well sitting on the right hand of God the Father. There comes a point in time when the veil is lifted and God reveals Himself, but the truth is, He has always known us from the beginning of time.
"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." Ephesians 1:4
We are "holy and blameless" because Jesus paid the penalty for our sin. That is a miracle! He knows our heartaches, our pain and suffering. He sees our faults, every one of them. Speaking for myself, I have plenty. He hears our prayers, every one. He loves us unconditionally, all the time. That is a miracle.
"There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
Romans 8:1.
I find that Satan becomes very active where miracles are visible. He loves to steal them away from us; wipe them from our memory. Every time you see a miracle in your life, a great big one, or a tiny little one, write it down. Before you know it, you'll have a book of your own personal miracles.
Thank you Lord that you continue to work miracles in the lives of those who love you. Help us to recognize these miracles and praise you for your everlasting love.
