PRE-432-432. Do You Really Believe in Miracles

432. Do You Really Believe in Miracles

Do You Really Believe in Miracles?

by David Wilkerson

January 16, 2006

[May 19, 1931 '96 April 27, 2011]

In Mat_14:1-36, we find Jesus getting into a boat to leave for '93a desert place apart'94 where he could be alone. He had just received word that John the Baptist had been beheaded and buried. And now he was so moved by this news that he felt the need to be by himself and pray.

Yet, when the multitudes heard Jesus was leaving, '93They followed him on foot out of the cities'94 (Mat_14:13). Imagine Christ looking up and seeing thousands of people coming toward him from all directions, in all types of physical conditions. The infirm were being carried on stretchers or wheeled toward him in homemade carts. Blind men and women were being led through the crowd, and the lame hobbled forward on makeshift canes and crutches. All were desperate to come near him for a healing touch from the one man who could provide it.

What was Christ'92s response to this incredible scene? '93Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick'94 (14:14). If you had been there that day, watching from the hillside, you would have been amazed at the events unfolding before you. Gnarled hands were strengthened, crooked legs were made straight, deaf ears were opened, mute tongues suddenly cried out with praises to God.

The sights and sounds of it all would have been overwhelming. Yet, at the end of that incredible day, after performing all those miracles of healing, Jesus decided to feed the multitudes. We'92re told it was a crowd of five thousand, not including all the women and children present. And to feed them all, Jesus took five loaves of bread and two dried fishes, prayed over them, and began breaking them into fragments to be served to the people.

Basket after basket was filled with the quickly multiplying food. And somehow, as the disciples distributed it to the multitudes, the food just kept increasing. By the end of that massive feeding, everyone in the crowd had eaten till he was full, and the disciples ended up bringing back twelve baskets of leftover fragments.

Put yourself in that scene, as one of the crowd that day.

Try to imagine it: you had just witnessed healing after healing, miracle after miracle, one incredible wonder after another. Don'92t you think that after a day like that one, you'92d be on your knees praising God? Wouldn'92t you say to yourself, '93Never again will I doubt the healing and miracle-working power of Christ'94?

Then, after witnessing all those wonders, you had seen the miraculous feeding of five-thousand-plus people. You would be totally awed, filled with wonder, thinking, '93What the Lord has done today is unbelievable. This has fortified my faith. From now on, I'92m going to practice unwavering faith.'94

Later, after the day'92s remarkable events, you see Jesus '93constraining'94 his disciples to get quietly into a boat, telling them, '93Go, sail to the other side'94 (see Mat_14:22). The Greek word for '93constrained'94 here means '93to compel, by entreaty, force or persuasion.'94 Jesus was urging his disciples in the strongest terms, '93Brethren, just get in the boat. Go now.'94 He was going to dismiss the multitudes and meet the disciples later.

Now, all this time, Jesus had been reading his disciples'92 thoughts. He knew they weren'92t understanding what was happening that day. The message of the miracles hadn'92t yet registered in their hearts and minds, and doubts still plagued them. As they pushed off from shore, I wonder if Jesus shook his head in amazement, wounded by their wavering faith after all they had seen.

What did Jesus have to do to bring his disciples into unshakable faith?

Did Jesus actually have to walk on water to wake up his disciples? Of course, that'92s exactly what Christ did. A storm broke out, the boat was tossed, and '93Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea'94 (14:25).

When his disciples saw him, they couldn'92t believe their eyes. In fact, they thought he was a ghost. '93They supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: for they all saw him, and were troubled'94 (Mar_6:49-50). But Jesus told them not to be afraid. '93And he went up unto them in the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered'94 (6:51).

Only at this point do we see some semblance of faith rising up in the disciples: '93They that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God'94 (Mat_14:33). As we read this, we let out a sigh of relief, thinking, '93Finally, they get it. They believe in Jesus'92 miracle-working power. The miraculous has finally begun to register with them, and a foundation of faith is being built in them. Now they'92re ready to face any trial with unwavering faith.'94

But that wasn'92t the case. Mark suggests this was not a defining moment of faith for them at all: '93They were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened'94 (Mar_6:52). The Greek word for '93hardened'94 here means a thick, calloused skin. According to Mark, the disciples completely missed the message of the loaves and fishes. This is a very significant statement, because it has everything to do with trusting in God.

Remember, these were men who loved the Lord deeply and readily believed he could do miracles for others. They had no problem accepting the wonders that Jesus performed for the multitudes. But they couldn'92t believe that Christ would do the same for them. When it came to believing him to work miracles in their own crises, something important was missing.

It is possible to say, '93I believe God can do the impossible,'94 and yet still be so calloused that the Lord can'92t get through.

We can grow so thick-skinned with doubts that the truth no longer registers with us. For example, we might become emotionally hardened over the years by trials, suffering, fears, doubts, mounting disappointments.

In Mat_15:1-39, we read of yet another gathering of multitudes, where many more were miraculously healed and fed. This time, the crowd numbered four thousand, plus women and children. Once again, Jesus performed miracles of healing and then marvelously fed the masses from just seven loaves and a few fishes. Afterward, everyone was filled, and the disciples brought back seven baskets full of leftovers.

When the day was done, Jesus again got into a boat with his disciples, this time to sail for Magdala. While en route, the disciples squabbled among themselves, asking, '93Who forgot to bring bread?'94 Evidently, they had only one loaf among them (see Mar_8:14). Imagine it: Peter, James, John and the others were worried about bread, when they'92d just come from the greatest bread-feeding in history!

When Jesus heard them, he was incredulous. He chided them: '93Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets yet took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? How is it that ye do not understand'85?'94 (Mat_16:9-11).

Then he asked, '93When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven. And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?'94 (Mar_8:19-21).

Jesus was saying, in other words, '93How can this be? I'92m trying to build a foundation of faith in you. How could these miracles not register in your minds?'94

I ask you: why did Jesus connect the disciples'92 meager, wavering faith here to the miracles of the loaves and fishes? Why did he attribute their doubts and hardness of heart to not understanding the meaning of these incredible feedings? Why didn'92t he simply remind them of his miracle of turning water into wine? Or, what about the leper who was instantly healed? What about the palsied, bedfast man who was let down to him through a roof, healed by Christ, and immediately took up his mat and walked? What about the unclean demons who saw Jesus and fell down before him, crying, '93Thou art the Son of God'94?

All of these incredible events happened prior to Christ'92s feeding of the multitudes. Yet Jesus twice refers the disciples back to those miracles. Why?

Let'92s go back to the feeding of the four thousand to see if we can understand its spiritual meaning.

'93Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way'94 (Mat_15:32).

I believe Christ was making a statement to his disciples here. He was saying, in essence, '93I'92m going to do more for the people than heal them. I'92ll make sure they have enough bread to eat. I'92m concerned about everything that affects their lives. You have to see that I am more than just power. I am also compassion. If you see me only as a healer, a mighty miracle-worker, you will fear me. But if you also see me as all-compassionate, you'92re going to love and trust me.

'93I just showed you in front of separate crowds of 5,000 and 4,000 people that I care for my people. You men are the pillars of my church, but your hearts are still hardened on this matter. You have to believe I have compassion on my people at all times, in every crisis they face.'94

Why were the disciples'92 hearts so calloused to this truth? They didn'92t doubt that Jesus could heal multitudes with a touch or a word. They didn'92t doubt his compassion for the fainting masses. In fact, they marveled and glorified him when he performed miracles for the people. But later, when they were all alone in the boat, away from the great congregation, they grew worried about their own needs. They weren'92t confident Jesus would provide miracles for them or their families.

I'92m writing this message for all who are on the brink of exhaustion, about to faint, overwhelmed by your present situation. You'92ve been a faithful servant, feeding others, confident that God can do the impossible for his people. Yet you have some lingering doubts about his willingness to intervene in your struggle.

The Holy Spirit is calling us, through these passages of Scripture, to remember the loaves, the fishes, the abundance. We are called to rely on the compassion of Jesus for our own physical needs, knowing he isn'92t willing to allow even one of us to faint.

I want to know: how many readers of this message have spoken words of faith and hope to others who are facing distressing, seemingly hopeless situations? You have urged them, '93Hold on! The Lord is able. He'92s a miracle-working God, and his promises are true. So, don'92t lose hope. Be encouraged, because he'92s going to answer your cry.'94

'93Do you really believe in miracles?'94 That is the question the Holy Spirit asked of me. My answer was, '93Yes, of course, Lord. I believe in every miracle I'92ve read about in Scripture.'94 Yet this answer is not good enough. The Lord'92s question to each one of us really is, '93Do you believe I can work a miracle for you?'94 And not just one miracle, but a miracle for every crisis, every situation we face. We need more than Old Testament miracles, New Testament miracles, by-gone miracles in history, but up-to-date, personal miracles that are designed just for us and our situation.

Think of the one difficulty you'92re facing right now, your greatest need, your most troubling problem. You'92ve prayed about it for so long. Do you really believe the Lord can and will work it out, in ways you can'92t conceive? That kind of faith commands the heart to quit fretting or asking questions. It tells you to rest in the Father'92s care, trusting him to do it all in his way and time.

There are two kinds of miracles: instantaneous and progressive.

I have already mentioned some of the wonders that Jesus performed in the New Testament. Likewise, the Old Testament is filled with God'92s miracle-working power, from the Red Sea opening, to God speaking to Moses from the burning bush. By faith, Elijah called down fire from heaven. And later, when the Lord spoke to him in the cave, there was wind, thunder, incredible sights and sounds.

These were all instantaneous miracles. The people involved could see them happening, feel them and thrill to them. And they'92re the kinds of miracles we all want to see today, causing awe and wonder. We want God to rend the heavens, come down to our situation and fix things with a sudden outburst of heavenly power and might.

But much of God'92s wonder-working power in his people'92s lives comes in what are called '93progressive miracles.'94 These are miracles that are hardly discernible to the eye. They'92re not accompanied by thunder, lightning or any visible movement or change. Rather, progressive miracles start quietly, without fanfare, and unfold slowly but surely, one step at a time.

Both kinds of miracles '97 instantaneous and progressive '97 were witnessed at Christ'92s two feedings of the multitudes. The healings he performed were immediate, visible, easily discerned by those present on those days. I think of the crippled man with a gnarled body, who suddenly had an outward, physical change so that he could run and leap. Here was a miracle that had to astonish and move all who saw it.

Yet the feedings that Christ did were progressive miracles. Jesus offered up a simple prayer of blessing, with no fire, thunder or earthquake. He merely broke the bread and the dried fish, never giving a sign or sound that a miracle was taking place. Yet, to feed that many people, there had to be thousands of breakings of that bread and those fish, all through the day. And every single piece of bread and fish was a part of the miracle.

This is just how Jesus performs many of his miracles in his people'92s lives today. We pray for instantaneous, visible wonders, but often our Lord is quietly at work, forming a miracle for us piece by piece, bit by bit. We may not be able to hear it or touch it, but he is at work, shaping our deliverance beyond what we can see.

And that is what Jesus wanted his disciples to see. He so wanted them to know that all along, he was at work on their behalf: shooting arrows at the enemy, silencing lying spirits, faithfully keeping and protecting each precious one whom the Father had given him.

You may be in the middle of a miracle right now and simply not be seeing it.

Maybe right now you'92re waiting for your miracle. You'92re discouraged because things seem to be at a standstill. You don'92t see any evidence of God'92s supernatural work on your behalf.

Consider what David says in Psa_18:1-50 : '93In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken '85 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured '85 He bowed the heavens also, and came down '85 The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice '85 He sent out his arrows '85 he shot out lightnings'94 (Psa_18:6-9; Psa_18:13-14).

You have to realize, none of these things literally happened. It was all something that David saw in his spiritual eye. Beloved, that is faith. It'92s when you believe God has heard your cry, that he hasn'92t delayed, that he isn'92t ignoring your petition. Instead, he quietly began your miracle immediately when you prayed, and even now he'92s doing supernatural work on your behalf. That is truly believing in miracles, his marvelous progressive work in our lives.

David understood the foundational truth that was beneath it all: '93He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me'94 (18:19). David declared, '93I know why the Lord is doing all this for me. It'92s because he delights in me.'94

I truly believe in instantaneous miracles. God is still working glorious, instant wonders in the world today. Yet in these Gospel passages, Jesus asks us to remember and take note of his progressive miracles and their role in our own lives today.

I was greatly blessed by something I read in John'92s account of the feeding of the five thousand.

'93When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do'94 (Joh_6:5-6). Jesus took Philip aside, put his arm around him and said, '93Brother Philip, take a look at the thousands of people here. They'92re all hungry. Tell me, where are we going to buy enough bread to feed them? What do you think we should do?'94

How incredibly loving of Christ. Jesus knew all along what he was going to do; the verse above tells us so. Yet the Lord was trying to teach Philip something, and the lesson he was imparting to him applies to each of us today. Think about it: how many in Christ'92s body sit up half the night trying to figure out their problems? We think, '93Maybe this will work. No, no '85 Maybe that will solve it. No '85 '94

I picture Philip scratching his head, answering, '93Lord, I'92ve been talking to Andrew, Peter, James and John, and we only have two hundred pennies'92 worth in our common purse. That is totally insufficient for this pressing need. We'92ve got a critical bread problem'94 (see 6:7).

Yet Philip and the apostles didn'92t have just a bread problem. They had a bakery problem '85 and a money problem '85 and a distribution problem '85 and a transportation problem '85 and a time problem. Add it all up, and they had problems they couldn'92t even imagine. Their situation was absolutely impossible.

But Jesus knew all along exactly what he was going to do. He had a plan. And the same is true of your troubles and difficulties today. There is a problem, but Jesus knows your whole situation. And he comes to you, asking, '93What are we going to do about this?'94

The correct answer from Philip would have been, '93Jesus, you are God. Nothing is impossible with you. So, I'92m giving this problem over to you. It'92s no longer mine, but yours.'94

That'92s just what we need to say to our Lord today, in the midst of our crisis: '93Lord, you are the miracle worker. And I'92m going to surrender all my doubts and fears to you. I entrust this entire situation, my whole life, into your care. I know you won'92t allow me to faint. In fact, you already know what you'92re going to do about my problem. I trust in your power.'94 ■

By: David Wilkerson