The Power to Perform Miracles
“But lift up your rod and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.” (Exodus 14:16)
The Old Testament is filled with occasions where God demonstrated His power through miracles. There’s the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah when they were well beyond childbearing years… the relentless plagues that paved the way for Israel’s exodus from Egypt… their crossing of the Red Sea on dry ground and the subsequent drowning of Pharaoh’s entire army in the same – just to name a few.
Then, of course, the New Testament documents the virgin birth, the raising of Lazarus from the grave, the miraculous conversion of Saul, the feeding of the multitude with one boy’s lunch, and the resurrection and ascension of our Lord.
These many examples show us that the power to perform miracles – to arrest the course and drive of nature and turn it completely above its own predisposition – can only be attributed to the Almighty Arm of the Creator Himself. No lesser created power, neither men nor angels, either in heaven or on earth, can complete such feats by their own might.
So then, how is it that Moses used his rod to part the Red Sea, and afterwards struck the rock to make water flow? How did Joshua stop the sun in its course, and Isaiah turn it ten degrees backward? How did Peter heal the lame man at the temple?
These and all other supernatural acts were nothing other than God manifesting His power using the instrument of His choice. Only by effectual prayer and commanding faith were Moses, Joshua, Elijah, and the Apostles allowed opportunities to be instrumental in the manifestation of divine miracles, because God alone is the immediate essential cause of all the miraculous in the world.
We often hear people refer to some incident as a miracle… like the birth of a new baby or the rescue of a family from a burning home. But these are not miracles in the true sense of the word, as they are not contrary to the course of natural law.
Further, the power to perform true miracles can only be attributed to Almighty God, whose purpose in the miraculous is to bring glory to Himself and propagate the message of redemption.
Take some time this week to consider the many miracles in Scripture, especially noticing how they move you to glorify and adore God on a deeper level.
- Lord, as Abraham glorified You in the miracle of the birth of his son, help me hold onto all Your promises by faith. I don’t want to dishonor You by faltering in my faith, by not fully believing Your Word. Help me set my mind in such a faithful way on Your Word that the amazing acts You performed in Scripture cause me to stand firm in You and Your work. Help me trust in You more and more every day.
- “Though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains,” Lord, can I move mountains? Do I? Do I have the highest degree of faith – a faith that would effect miraculous operations of the highest nature? I’m afraid I do not. Lord, increase my faith!
- What great mysteries are housed in the life of Your Son, Lord! A miraculous conception, miraculous birth, miraculous resurrection, miraculous ascension, miraculous entrance into the throne room of the Ancient of Days, and a miraculous exaltation. I long for His miraculous second coming! These miracles of awe and mystery and glory found in the pages of Scripture are striking and vivid pictures for me that give wonder to the birth and life and death of Jesus Christ.
Further References for Exodus 14:16
Exod. 4:17, 7:19, 14:21; Isa. 10:26; Psa. 106:9
