Daily Devotional – I’m Normal.™ I AM Ministries
“To promote Godly living in a culture committed to destroying it”
Monday, February 2, 2015
Doling Out Miracles
The Bible opens its narrative with the miracle of creation. Throughout the Old Testament, a centuries-long episode, God performed miracles at appropriate times – providing Abraham with a ram to sacrifice instead of Isaac, delivering the Israelites from Egypt, sustaining them in the desert, and allowing them to take possession of the land of Canaan.
In the New Testament, Jesus employed His miraculous powers to show His sovereignty for about three and one-half years. Although both Jesus and the Father possessed these vast powers, they committed to using miracles sparingly. Despite the pleas of the Pharisees and common people, Jesus was not a traveling circus intent on gaining fame and fortune, often rebuking those who asked Him to “perform”.
Jesus doled miracles to exhibit His power, but also to demonstrate His confidence and restraint. One who truly has the power does not need to overuse it. For example, when the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus point blank to perform a miracle, Jesus became very angry. “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” (Matthew 12:38-39).
Jesus performed His miracles in order to establish His authority. He did not perform them to entertain, although they did amaze. He did not perform miracles to gain followers, a miracle is no guarantee a man’s heart will change (Luke 16:30-31). Jesus also knew this approach works only on a temporary basis, if at all. After He fed the 5000, many wanted an encore performance from Him. They wanted Jesus to continue feeding them with bread to sustain their physical needs. Their pleas failed to persuade Him to repeat the miracle for their benefit. Jesus came to fill us with spiritual food, not just physical food. He mission and purpose is to feed us eternally with the Bread of Life and the Word of God, not simply with a crust of bread to soothe our hunger momentarily.
After Jesus left this world and returned to His Father in Heaven, God and the apostles continued to perform miracles. In Acts 12, Scripture records Peter’s miraculous escape from prison. Peter is chained to two Roman soldiers and sentries are guarding the passageways and exits to the prison. Suddenly, an angel of the LORD appears and sets Peter free. The angel gives specific instructions to Peter, which he follows obediently. Soon Peter is out of the prison.
Peter and the angel walk the length of one street. Suddenly the angel vanished, leaving Peter on his own. The important message God sends to us through this miracle: Miracles are not to be expected when ordinary means will do. Peter had no more obstacles to pass, no more iron gates to get through. Now, the ordinary care of invisible angels would be sufficient to deliver him from his circumstances. He was out of danger and needed no guard. He knew where he was and how to find his friends, so the Heavenly guard now departed his presence.
A similar reoccurrence happened within hours. Reunited with James and the brothers, they realized danger still existed and they left for another place. They took their leave without the benefit of a Heavenly guard previously afforded to Peter. Rather, they were able of their own accord to escape the retribution of Herod for having eluded his special guard.
It is normal for God to use miracles in special situations to protect, instruct, or assist his faithful servants. It is even more normal for God to force us to use the natural abilities and ordinary means available to preserve ourselves. God continues to perform miracles in our world today, but He forces us to use ordinary means for our day-to-day problems and needs. He does not flaunt His power, but if you are observant, you we see how He provides subtly. A few miraculous signs go a long way and do not have to be a daily occurrence for us to put our faith in Him. He wants us to use normal ways to solve our problems and put our trust in Him for the rest, for His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).
In His love and service,
Jeff Myers
A servant of Jesus Christ
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