GOD’S MIRACLES HAVE GREAT PURPOSE

            When Abraham offered up his son, Isaac, it revealed Abraham’s obedience to God.   In confidence, he said:  “My son, God will provide Himself the lamb for a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:7 NKJV).  God did provide a ram for sacrifice instead of Isaac.  Yet, this had greater purpose.  It was also a prophecy of Jesus, who came as our sacrifice.
 
          Many times when miracles are manifested in answer to our prayers, we offer thanks to God and move to our next request.  A simple thanks to God may not reveal the greater purposes of God.  There is a possibility that God's purposes for miracles are not worked out because we limit them to answered prayer.  Miracles can impact the lives of many in various ways.  We see a few of these purposes in the following examples: 
  1. The request of a leper to be healed.  Jesus “put out His hand and touched him saying, ‘I am willing; be cleaned’” (Luke 5:13).  The cleansed leper was told to show himself to the priest as a testimony to them.  After the death and resurrections of Jesus Christ “a great number of the priests were obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7b).
     
  2. A paralyzed man was brought to Jesus for healing.  Jesus forgave the man his sins and healed him” (Luke 5:17-25).  Several purposes were revealed because of this miracle.
    • It revealed to the Scribes and Pharisees that Jesus, the Son of Man, had the power on earth to forgive sins.
    • God received glory from the healed man and those that witnessed it.
       
  3. On a Sabbath day, Jesus healed the withered hand of a man in the synagogue.  Instead of praising God, the religious leaders watched, were full of rage, and discussed how they would kill Jesus (Luke 6:6-12).  The hearts of these men were tested and they were found to be hypocrites!  We must allow the sovereignty of God to surpass our understanding. 
     
  4. Jesus and his disciples walked into Nain and Jesus restored the only son of a widow back to life (Luke 7:11-17).  The long range effect is that we believe in our resurrection (1 Corinthians 15).  God moves on multiple levels with His purposes.  Jesus was recognized as a great prophet. 
  • We see the compassion of Jesus.
  • The fear of God came upon all.
  • The people glorified God.
  • It revealed that God had visited His people.
  • This report about Jesus went throughout all Judea and the surrounding region. 
Have you thought of how your obedience and answered prayer can advance the kingdom of God? Think beyond our immediate needs to the God’s purpose.  God’s plans for our lives are good.  But, let us start looking for deeper meanings.  Besides being able to testify of God’s answers to our prayers and giving Him the glory, let the miracles reveal the character of God and our inner motives and convictions.
 
 ALLOW GOD TO REVEAL HIS PURPOSE IN YOUR ANSWERS!