HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 221
page A219
God occasionally used Paul to perform miraculous healings. Yet in these passages, Paul
describes the illness of two companions where there was no miracle. But Paul does not
blame himself nor God. Rather, Paul seems to acknowledge that there are times when
God, for his own good purposes, chooses not to perform miracles.
What keeps me from seeing more miracles in my life?
• E X O DU S 8 :1 7 -1 9 | So Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded them. When
Aaron raised his hand and struck the ground with his staff, gnats infested the entire land,
covering the Egyptians and their animals. All the dust in the land of Egypt turned into
gnats. Pharaoh’s magicians tried to do the same thing with their secret arts, but this time
they failed. And the gnats covered everyone, people and animals alike. “This is the finger
of God!” the magicians exclaimed to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s heart remained hard. He
wouldn’t listen to them, just as the Lord had predicted.
You won’t see a miracle if you are too stubborn to believe that a miracle can happen today,
or that God won’t perform one on your behalf. Even Pharaoh’s magicians saw this miracle
as an act of God, but Pharaoh was too stubborn to admit it. He convinced himself this
couldn’t be from the hand of God. When you get rid of pride and stubbornness, you will
be surprised to see how much God is doing in your life that you never noticed before.
How do I deal with impossible situations?
• 2 C H R O NI C L E S 3 2 :1 0 , 2 0 | “This is what King Sennacherib of Assyria says: What are you
trusting in that makes you think you can survive my siege of Jerusalem?” . . . Then King
Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to God in heaven.
• NE H E MI A H 2 :4 -5 | The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” With a prayer to the God
of heaven, I replied . . .
Go immediately to God in prayer. Your best choice is to go directly to the only one who
can do the impossible.
• PSA L M 3 9 :7 | And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.
• MA R K 9 :2 3 | “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person
believes.”
• H E B R E W S 1 1 :1 1 | It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was
barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise.
Place your faith and hope in God. Trust that God can do the impossible and wants to work
in your life. But even if he chooses not to, believe that he is the only one who can.
• E X O DU S 1 8 :1 8 , 2 1 -2 3 | “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is
too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. . . . But select from all the people some
capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups.
. . . They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes. . . . They will
help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. If you follow this advice, and if God
commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures.
When advice is wise, perhaps it is from God. Follow it, for it may be God’s way of beginning the impossible in your life. God often works through his people to accomplish what
seems to be impossible.
• 1 C H R O NI C L E S 2 8 :2 0 | Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the
work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not
fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work . . . is finished correctly.”
HelpFinder
Maybe you think a miracle is always a dramatic event like a dead person coming back to
life. But miracles are happening all around you that are supernatural occurrences. They
may not be as dramatic as the parting of the Red Sea, but they are no less powerful. The
birth of a baby, recovery from an illness, the rebirth of the earth in spring, salvation by faith
alone, the work of love and forgiveness to change someone, hearing the specific call of
God in your life. These are just a few. If you think you’ve never seen a miracle, look closer.
They are happening all around you.
M
• PSA L M 1 0 6 :2 | Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise him
enough?