“He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes” (Deutronomy 10:21).
Since time immemorial there has been a fascination and perhaps obessesion with miracles. A miracle has been defined as an “extraordinary and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore attributed to a divine agency”.
In his time on earth Jesus performed many miracles. The first was turning water into wine. What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him” ( John 2:11). From there on his ministry was characterized with countless miracles: He turned “five loaves of bread and two fish” to feed thousands ( Mathew 14:17-19); he raised Lazurus from the dead ( John 11:38-44); and walked on water ( Mathew 14:22-33).
Perhaps understandably this is reason why some are so focused on such miracles. While it is true there is a place for these spectacular events in our Christian life, the fact is our lives are a witness to everyday miracles. For think of it, isn’t your life in itself one long miracle!
Everydat that passes by our lives are a testament of miracles. One could have applied for a job or faced insurmountable opposition at the workplace against his promotion, only for God to secure him that job or promotion against all odds. One could get a grim doctor’s report only for God to intervene to the shock of all by turning around the situation. There are many of us who have been spared of terrible road accidents without realizing so, but just because angels came to our rescue!
For this reason while there is a place for those outsized miracles, let’s be ever thankful for the miracle in our lives, small and great!
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I am thankful for the miracle of life and countless others in my life, and I pray to walk ever in that spirit of gratefulness, this I pray in Jesus’s name
Related upcoming events
-
17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
