If you’re old enough to remember the 1980 Winter Olympics, you might remember the historic hockey game between the United States and the Soviet Union. When it was certain that the United States would win, sportscaster Al Michaels exclaimed, “Do you believe in miracles?!” Of course, a sporting event isn’t really that important when compared to eternal issues, and so, for one hockey team to upset another doesn’t really qualify as a miracle. However, when it comes to the spiritual aspect of life and our existence on this earth — those things that are truly important — let us pose the question: “Do you believe in miracles?” Many people do not.
For the believer, miracles should be very real to us considering that, when we place our faith in the resurrected Messiah — the resurrection being a miracle in and of itself — we are considered to be “born again.” The Scripture is replete with miraculous events that took place on behalf of God’s people, just when it was needed most, even though it sometimes seemed to occur at the last minute. To take the position that miracles don’t happen would be equivalent to saying the Bible is a book of myths and fairytales. The point is: we do believe in miracles.
Now let’s consider this: it’s one thing to believe that God will perform a miracle on our behalf when we’ve been faithful but what about when we’ve been unfaithful? Will He intervene on our behalf when we haven’t been as obedient as we should? There have been many times in my life when I found it difficult to believe that God would do anything for me. Why would I think such a thing? — because of me.
Here is something we need to remember: God doesn’t feel, think or act the way we do. He doesn’t respond to situations the way we would. I’m not saying that we can act anyway that we wish and expect God to do these things, but I am saying that our Father quickly responds to a repentant heart. In the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15), as the young man made his way home, his father saw his son in the distance and began to run toward him. He didn’t wait for his son to reach the house, but seeing him, chose to close the distance between them. Our Heavenly Father is quick to respond to a repentant heart. The Psalmist said this:
“O Lord, have mercy upon us; for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.” (Psalm 123:3)
When God sees our brokenness and remorse for our transgressions, like the father in the parable, He will restore a wayward son or daughter to their proper place. Psalm 118 tells us why:
“Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let Israel now say that, “His mercy endures forever.” Let the house of Israel now say that, “His mercy endures forever.” Let them now that fear the Lord say that, “His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 118:1-4)
Miracles still happen and will still happen for those who realize that His compassion is new every morning, and that His mercy endures throughout all time.
Shalom.
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