He sighed deeply and said, "Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it."
There is such disappointment in Jesus's sigh. Where there is no faith, there can be no miracles (Mark 6:5-6). Why? Because even if miracles, signs, and wonders were done, they would not be believed.
The LORD through the prophet of Habakkuk states, "Look at the nations and watch--and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." (Hab 1:5) Miracles do not always lead to faith (John 12:37). This is just as Isaiah said, "Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?" (Isa 53:1) If the heart is skeptical to begin with, miracles, no matter how powerful, are explained away.
Counter intuitively, faith, no matter the amount, is required for miracles, not the other way around. Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (Mat 17:20). If you cannot move mountains, it means your faith is not even as large as a mustard seed. Miracles only happen for the sake of those who will increase in faith because of them. This is why miracles are prevalent in countries like China and Nigeria because they are more willing to believe than in skeptical "enlightened" nations like America, England, and Sweden.
It turns out the more skeptical we grow, the blinder we all become.
Showing posts with label miracles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label miracles. Show all posts
Friday, October 7, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Isaiah 35:4-6
"Say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert."
Are these not the things that happened when Christ came upon the Earth? When our LORD set foot upon this land, were not the eyes of the blind opened? Did not deaf people hear? Were cripples and paralytics not leaping and rejoicing? And were not the mute shouting with joy in praise of their savior? All these things and more happened when the LORD came with retribution and vengeance, and yet we were spared.
We, who sinned against God and against man, were not paid back an equal measure of divine justice for our wickedness. No, this God who is swift to bring justice instead exacted this wrath upon Satan by using himself as the bait. Our sins were placed on Christ as the worm is placed on the hook, and this time it was Satan who was tempted to take a bite. And so the serpent bit at his heel which in turn crushed his head (Gen 3:15).
So now we have everlasting water so that we may never thirst again. That even though we walk through the wilderness, our God has already been there. His path has been made straight as he leads us to Zion. And we are never alone. Never again will we be alone.
Are these not the things that happened when Christ came upon the Earth? When our LORD set foot upon this land, were not the eyes of the blind opened? Did not deaf people hear? Were cripples and paralytics not leaping and rejoicing? And were not the mute shouting with joy in praise of their savior? All these things and more happened when the LORD came with retribution and vengeance, and yet we were spared.
We, who sinned against God and against man, were not paid back an equal measure of divine justice for our wickedness. No, this God who is swift to bring justice instead exacted this wrath upon Satan by using himself as the bait. Our sins were placed on Christ as the worm is placed on the hook, and this time it was Satan who was tempted to take a bite. And so the serpent bit at his heel which in turn crushed his head (Gen 3:15).
So now we have everlasting water so that we may never thirst again. That even though we walk through the wilderness, our God has already been there. His path has been made straight as he leads us to Zion. And we are never alone. Never again will we be alone.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Acts 3:6-8
"Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God."
True worship is a response to what God has done. True worship can only come from a recognition of God's presence and character through an intimate encounter with a wholly other God. No matter how many songs we sing, how many people we convert, and no matter how long our prayers, if it isn't in reaction to a Divine God, it isn't worship.
True worship is impossible for us alone. Who among us has come to God where he dwells in Heaven? Rather, if not for the revelation of God himself to unto us, who could worship? But praise God that he has revealed the fullness of his glory to us through his Son, the word become flesh, Immanuel, God with us, crucified on the cross and displayed for all to see.
It is through radical encounters with His Holy Spirit that anyone can say they worship God. It is a direct response to the power of God. Let this crippled beggar be our model for true spiritual worship.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Psalm 77:9-11
"Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion? Then I thought, 'To this will I appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High." I will remember the deeds of the LORD; Yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago."
Despite a whole list of doubts David has in verses 7-9, David ultimately has one source of comfort: that God never changes. David reflects on God's track record, on how he has proven himself time and time again to be the God who performs miracles. And of course, we see that it is the Exodus account that gives David cause for faith.
Even though things look bad now, David trusts God never changes and in so doing knows what God will do. The only surprise with God is in how he does something, not if he does something, but when he acts you can be sure it will be mighty.
God is the only thing in this world which never changes, a solid rock and firm foundation we can hold onto. It is this trust in God's unchangeable character that forms the backbone of our faith.
Without great doubt, there cannot be great faith. The more doubts you have, the more we must rely on the truth of God, in his unchanging character. But don't just take my word for it, God's actions speak for himself. Everything rests on the belief that God is who he has revealed himself to be.
Despite a whole list of doubts David has in verses 7-9, David ultimately has one source of comfort: that God never changes. David reflects on God's track record, on how he has proven himself time and time again to be the God who performs miracles. And of course, we see that it is the Exodus account that gives David cause for faith.
Even though things look bad now, David trusts God never changes and in so doing knows what God will do. The only surprise with God is in how he does something, not if he does something, but when he acts you can be sure it will be mighty.
God is the only thing in this world which never changes, a solid rock and firm foundation we can hold onto. It is this trust in God's unchangeable character that forms the backbone of our faith.
Without great doubt, there cannot be great faith. The more doubts you have, the more we must rely on the truth of God, in his unchanging character. But don't just take my word for it, God's actions speak for himself. Everything rests on the belief that God is who he has revealed himself to be.
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