Want a miracle, listen.
We all get the idea about the request part. When we pray, we often spend most of our time asking for what we need. God knows we have needs. Sadly, most of us don’t believe God will hear or answer our requests. The truth is he does hear and answer.
133 Miracles
One summer, I researched Biblical miracles. All required faith and something else, a secret ingredient. . . action. In the 133 miracles that I have studied, all required some action to receive the promise. Faith in action means believing so strongly that you are willing to demonstrate your faith by doing something: go show yourself to the priest, go dip in the River Jordan, get up out of your bed.
He may ask you do something that you think is silly…
Did the man with leprosy really need to show himself to the priest? Yes, it was necessary for the priest to declare a leper clean, but I think there was more to it. Our action demonstrates our faith, maybe even increases it.
Jesus performed many miracles. Like us, Jesus’ first audience focused mostly on what he could do—his miracles. Jesus used these signs to show that he was the Messiah through fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Miracles are a tool, not the message.
Bearing Fruit
Too often, we would rather use him to make our lives comfortable, than to listen and follow his words. Does God talk to you? Now, I’m not suggesting that you trek into the wilderness, so that Jesus will heal you. I am suggesting that we listen and obey God. My experience is, that as I pray, God puts ideas in my mind. I am also suggesting that God uses miracles to cause us to bear fruit. The purpose of the fruit, or us doing good, is so that people will listen to the message of God.
Jesus’ willingness to perform a miracle also demonstrates his love for us. He touched a man with leprosy—an unheard of thing for a teacher of the Law of God to do. As much as God wants us to follow him, he also cares about us right here and right now. When it comes to healing, we should have the attitude of the leper who was convinced Jesus could heal him and was willing to listen and do what the Master asked of him.
Listen as You Pray
If you are listening to the voice of God, he will not tell you to do something that does not align with the Bible, such as throw away your medication. He may, however, ask you do something that you think is silly or you may be uncomfortable doing, such as singing a song out loud or sharing your testimony with a stranger. Listen to God as you pray and do what he tells you! You will be glad you did.
“See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
Mark 1:44
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see A Miracle Happened.