Thoughts for another day

May 8, 2006

Today's verse: Jn. 5:6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? (KJV).

As I go about preaching and teaching the Word of God and telling people that belief in Jesus opens the marvelous power of God, I generally find many people agreeing to what I say; the sad thing is that the moment they are made to contend with troublesome realities in their lives, all their faith vanishes and belief becomes non-existent. Their response is ‘It is God’s will you know.’ But does Jesus desire that you be sad and burdened? Can’t be, for He came to give abundant life isn’t it? It is not God’s will that we have a problem so why do we compromise and accept it as God’s will?

Jesus, the face of God for mankind, never had even an iota of doubt that God would not answer His prayer. In fact just before He gives the command for Lazarus to be raised, He looks up and tells His Father, ‘Father, I thank You for having heard me!’ Jn 11:41. He thanks His Father even before the physical manifestation of the miracle…

The question then is why don’t we have miracles. I am not talking about the small little things that God does in our lives; but the big ones like say Lazarus’ miracle or for that matter Bartimaeus’ sight. What is lacking? Is it faith? Or is it not asking in a proper way or asking to satisfy our worldly desires?

Jesus said, ‘Ask and you shall receive’. He never placed conditions. It is we who do. We labor under things like, ‘you are sinful, therefore you cannot receive miracles’. In this context what about the centurion whose servant was healed by Jesus? (Mt 8:5-13). He was Roman and therefore an idolater; yet Jesus healed. Then we say, you don’t have faith, then what about the paralytic who was brought to Jesus through the roof and on a stretcher. Did he have faith? Then again we say your family tree needs healing… and so on and so forth. I know of many healers and preachers telling people, ‘your family is in bondage’ but didn’t Jesus say, ‘If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed!’ Jn 8:36.

There are many reasons we give for not witnessing a miracle. The problem is we only make the person who needs a miracle feel more guilty and depressed. I am not taking away from the rightness that we need to exercise before God e.g. we should not be in a sinful state (a mere confession of sins will do – as God forgives) and other things. But are they essential in creating a miracle? My answer is no. In my opinion, it is only the right time that God is looking at. Jesus waited for thirty years before His ministry could start! For us who have to wait, let me tell you that the waiting is tough. I know for I am experiencing it. It is like the seed: sown and watered each day but not giving a shoot. But when its time comes, it bursts forth into a small shoot. So I wait. But on the day He starts my Ministry, you shall witness some of the greatest miracles on the face of the earth. Besides, there will be millions of people who will just fall on their knees on the streets, touched by God’s spirit and praising the God of Israel. Raising mountains of Glory for the ‘Holy One of Israel’.
Let me tell you from my heart: ‘When you are distressed, Jesus is distressed.’ He wants to do something for you, like in the verse above where He asks the paralytic, ‘Will you be healed?’ So also He will ask you and heal you; but in time. So lose not your hope and let your gaze be fixed on Him. Also He will do it only if the glory comes to Him. If you meet up to these two, I believe you can rest assured, ‘your miracle, is waiting for you.’ No matter what your situation, it will be done for you. Not because I am saying it but because He wants to do it for you. And remember, ‘there is nothing impossible for Yahweh God! Praised be the Holy One of Israel.

(PS: the image above is not mine but I thank whoever the source is and pray for the person who created it. If you are among the readership of this blog please let me know so I could acknowledge your name.)