Throughout history people have witnessed the miraculous power and provision of God. People who were backed into a corner with no way out.
No way out but God, that is.
As in the case of Zerubbabel, a governor in Judah. When those who had been taken captive to Babylon began returning to their homeland, it was Zerubbabel’s responsibility to watch over the rebuilding of the temple.
And to Zerubbabel, it seemed an impossible situation.
But not for God.
The prophet Zechariah received a word for the governor.
Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6 ESV)
Thinking about this, and remembering many of the biblical accounts of the miraculous, I find myself wondering, “Why don’t we see those same kinds of miracles today?”
Like the parting of the Red Sea. Or, the water pouring from a rock. The sun stopping dead in its tracks for almost 24 hours. Water turned to wine. Fish and bread multiplied.
Miracle after miracle by the God Who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
And since He’s the same today, where are the miracles of old?
Why aren’t we seeing the miraculous signs and wonders Jesus said we’d see?
“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”” (Mark 16:15 – 16:18 ESV)
The early disciples witnessed the miraculous.
And while it’s true there have been some in today’s world who have experienced the miraculous power of God, it seems to be the exception rather than the rule.
Oh, we know the scriptures. We know when to say “amen”. We have church planting down to a science. We can craft sermons with the best of them.
No, I’m not saying we shouldn’t know the scriptures, shout amen, plant churches, or craft great sermons.
Not at all!
But where is the power of God?
Where is the “but by My Spirit…” earthshaking power of the Living God?
I have only one answer.
We aren’t the people of yesteryear.
What do I mean?
We have become so good at planning, we never find ourselves backed into a corner. Nothing looks impossible to us.
“Oh, come on, man. There are plenty of things which look impossible.”
I agree. But when those moments happen, what do we typically do?
Go with our backup plan.
And then claim it as God’s will.
Well, maybe you haven’t, but I know I have.
What if we allowed ourselves the luxury of having no Plan B, no extra door to use if God seems to close the one in front of us, and no memorized excuses as to why our Red Sea’s aren’t parted today?
What if we welcomed those moments when we find our backs against the wall?
What if we learned, like Paul, to boast in our weaknesses (and our impossible moments) knowing that when we’re weak, were great candidates for His strength?
Or, like James, found a way to count it all joy when our way seemed blocked by temptation or struggles; knowing that the trying of our faith works patience.
And patience never disappoints. It always has God’s signature on the final product.
Us.
I’m just wondering out loud. Of course, I can’t answer for you. But, with the Lord’s help, I’m going to fix my eyes on Jesus.
And when I see a mountain in my way I’m going to expect to see it removed by the Spirit of God!
After all, He’s in the mountain moving business.
Still.
Jan Grace 