“This is again the second miracle that Jesus did,
when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.”
(John 4:54)
Christ performed many miracles, all declarations of His power and mercy. And this “second miracle” mentioned here in John 4 reminds us that God deals with men repeatedly. One evidence of His love is that He does not speak only once, but often. He does not show mercy once, but again and again. He does not call once, but continues to call.
This truth is a beautiful picture of the longsuffering of Christ, but it also indicates our responsibility. Each sermon heard, each conviction felt, each mercy received are all part of an account. God takes notice of how often He has called and how often He has been answered. And the repetition of God’s dealings with man increases the weight of obligation upon the soul.[1]
Sometimes He comes with opportunities of grace through hearing the Word. Sometimes He comes with deliverances, rescuing from danger or trouble. Sometimes He comes with impressions of His Spirit, stirring the heart to consider, repent, and seek Him. These are intentional acts of divine mercy. And yet they are often resisted and dismissed.
This is a dangerous condition because the longer a heart remains unmoved under repeated mercies, the more hardened it becomes. Just as the same sun that melts wax hardens clay, the repeated workings of God either bring the soul nearer to Him or leave it more accountable before Him.
A man may sit under the means of grace, hear the Word, experience conviction, and yet remain unchanged. He may assume that because judgment is delayed, it is avoided. But Scripture teaches that there is a book of remembrance for good, and there is also a record of all that is neglected, abused, or resisted. Every sermon heard, every warning given, every mercy received is noted and at the appointed time, all shall be brought to light.
Yet we take hope in the fact that because God deals with the soul repeatedly, we know He is patient and willing to show mercy. So let us see that our hearts are responsive to God’s voice, and that His repeated dealings with us lead to deeper repentance, stronger faith, and greater obedience.
Contemplations:
- A Heart Responsive to Mercy. Lord, I have received many mercies from You, yet I have not always responded as I should. I have heard Your Word, felt Your Spirit’s conviction, and seen Your hand at work, and often remained unchanged. I ask that You give me a heart that does not neglect Your mercies, and let every act of Your kindness lead me closer to You.
- Sensitivity to God’s Voice. Father, I ask that You make my heart tender to Your voice. When You speak through Your Word, through providence, or through inward conviction, do not let me resist or ignore it. Soften my heart and keep me ready to hear and obey.
- True Repentance to Your Repeated Calls. I have often presumed upon Your patience, Lord, and not turned to You as I should. Forgive me for this. Grant me true repentance, and let Your repeated calls effectively draw me nearer to Yourself.
- Being Ready to Give an Account. Father, I know that all my actions, thoughts, and responses to Your dealings are recorded before You, so help me live with a sense of accountability, not in fear of condemnation but because I desire to walk uprightly before You.
Prayer (Supplication)
Merciful and patient Father, I see the many ways You have dealt with my soul. You have spoken to me through Your Word, through providence, and through inward conviction. You have shown me mercy again and again, and yet I have not always responded as I should.
I ask that You forgive me for neglecting Your mercies. Forgive me for hearing Your Word without being changed, for feeling conviction without true repentance, and for receiving blessings without giving You the glory. I confess that I have often been slow to respond, quick to forget, and careless in my walk before You.
Lord, give me a heart that answers Your call. Let me not delay when You speak, nor resist when You draw me. Make me sensitive to Your voice, so that I may hear and obey without hesitation. Remove all hardness and indifference from my heart, and replace it with a spirit that trembles at Your Word.
Grant me true repentance. Change my heart, renew my desires, and conform my life to Your will. I want Your repeated dealings with me to have their proper effect, leading me into deeper faith and obedience.
Teach me to live with a sense of Your presence and Your judgment. And don’t let me presume upon Your patience, but use this time of grace wisely.
Thank You for continuing to deal with me in mercy. Let this kindness lead me to repentance, and let my life bear fruit to Your glory.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Further Scripture References for John 4:54:
John 2:11; Matt. 4:25; Luke 5:17; John 4:48
[1] Thomas Manton, The Complete Works of Thomas Manton, vol. 16 (London: James Nisbet & Co., 1874), 380-381.
