I was at a local coffeeshop a couple of weeks ago and had an interesting conversation with a fellow patron. He asked me, “Why do you think that we don’t see our culture responding to the Gospel message the way they used to?” It was a logical question. And I couldn’t believe my answer.
I instantly blurted out, “I don’t think it’s culture’s problem – I think it’s ours.” He looked at me astonished. I looked at me thinking to myself, “What did I just say?” I kept on talking. “I’ve been reading through the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and the book of Acts, and what I see is men that are no different than you and I that God used to perform miracles. The only difference is that they had incredible faith. I don’t think it’s culture’s problem, I think it’s ours. We need more faith. If we believe for miracles and see them happen, people will respond.” He looked at me with a quizzical look on his face and we went on with our conversation.
The bottom line is that God has a long history of using miracles to set people free from sickness and infirmity. But the true purpose is much greater. Peter addresses this in Acts 2:22 as he is addressing a crowd of people that had gathered:
“People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know.”
This one verse points to something incredibly important as we pray and believe for miracles. Miracles are not just for the benefit of the one receiving healing. Miracles point to the Miracle Worker. Jesus was publicly “endorsed” in Scripture by the ability to heal. This proved his deity. It proved his message of being our Savior.
If we have faith to believe for miracles, people will respond to the life, message and freedom found in Jesus Christ.
Let’s put it this way: When your boss’ wife is healed of cancer by our loving God, it will be very difficult for your boss to deny God’s love. When your uncle gets out of his wheelchair and walks for the first time in fifteen years, it points to the love, compassion and power of God.
Just before raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11), Jesus responds to those who doubted by saying, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?”
Who do you know that is in need of a miracle today? Let’s believe together for healing. And that healing will display the glory of God. Don’t let fear hold you back from believing. God is all powerful and fully capable of healing. We can confidently ask God to heal along with confidently asking him for grace and strength to stand as we wait with faith and anticipation.
Let’s believe together and see the power of God on display for all to see. If you are believing for a miracle, post it under the comments and let’s rise up together and place our faith the Miracle Worker. What is there to lose?
