I believe in miracles
Not because I prayed for one today
And in a twinkle of an eye, God surprises
I believe in miracles
Because I know this God
Is the Miracle Worker
Who delights in surprising
Those whose faces are set on Him
Not on what He can give.
One of my study resources is the devotional “Answer Me,” by a great woman of God who also stands in the place of mother and friend, Patti Greene. The topic I studied during my quiet time that morning was, “Praying for Miracles” and the key Bible verse was Mark 9:23 – “If you can believe,” said Jesus, “everything is possible for one who believes.” The story was around a man whose son was in terrible need of help. Like a caring father, he had gone everywhere he knew, seeking freedom for a dear son whose life was terrorized by an evil spirit. When this father who was willing to do whatever he could heard about the Miracle Worker, he took the boy and ran to Jesus but fortunately or unfortunately, he met the followers of the Miracle Man.
Anything is better than nothing he must have surmised as he narrated his ordeal to the next of kin to the Miracle Man. Apprentices who believe they could do whatever the Master does set to work immediately but no amount of effort could work the deliverance the poor boy and his father needed. When the power is lacking, we fill up with words and that was how they all got into this argument as the Man Himself came into the scene, descending from a mountain-top-transfigurative encounter with the inner circle of disciples.
After his encounter with the acclaimed followers, the father’s faith in the Miracle Man of Galilee was no longer as sturdy as it was when they left home that morning. The harsh experiences of life had hit him like it hits us all: that stories are often far from reality; testifiers must have given the Man more credit than He truly deserved. Smarting with the failure of His disciples, he measured his response to Christ, “… but if you can, take pity on us and help us.”
Jesus did not rebuke him for lack of faith, or the disciples for demoting his faith. He understood what must have transpired and added a booster to the deflated faith, “Anything is possible if you believe.” “Yes I believe,” rose the faith and the voice of the desperate father and the miracle followed.
On the prayer request portion of the devotional, I filled in: I need miracles . . . .” then rounded up with this prayer, “Dear God, help me to recognize your miracles in and around my life and to never take them for granted.” A few hours later, I was admiring a very beautiful item while my friend was checking out items for purchase. In my heart I said, “If only . . . was here, I would have wanted this.” In a twist of events that could only be a miracle, the item was wrapped up as a gift for me. Dazed, I marveled at this God who is not limited by our, “Ifs, if nots, and if onlys.”
I don’t know what it is you need or desire and the ifs, the if nots, and the if onlys that stand in the way but I do know the Miracle Worker who turns dreams into realities; He is real, He is true, He is able, and He can deliver not only sincere requests, He reads minds and grants unuttered prayers and desires. May we set aside all that gets in the way and approach Him, believing that He is able, knowing that He is willing and ready to give every good and perfect gift to fulfil our joy. May you encounter the Miracle Man today, and may you enjoy consistent communion with Him from this day onward. Amen!
Glory!