So many times we ask God for miracles. We petition God for breakthroughs and mind-blowing intercessions. But do we understand what we asking of God? Miracles are unordinary events. They are unusual. So unusual that it can be off-putting if you are not accepting of the power of God.
Throughout the scriptures, we see that God is able to do what our minds cannot conceive. Look at Isaiah 41:18-19.
I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:
(Isaiah 41:18, NIV)
If you saw a river in a high place such as a mountain, you likely wouldn’t believe your eyes because that defies nature. If you saw springs of water in a desert, you would think you are having a mirage. Because water doesn’t exist in the desert.
But that’s what God said He could do. And that’s what He proved to do in scripture. He uses impossible analogies to prove that He can do impossible things. Yet, we petition God for the impossible. But again, I ask, are you aware of what you are asking of God? Have you considered bracing yourself for the power that you are asking to rain down in your life? Because if you aren’t prepared, God’s power will scare you.
When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
(Mark 5:15-17, NIV)
This miracle displayed God’s power. But God’s power was so shocking that it scared them. And because they were afraid, they asked Jesus to leave. If God did the impossible for you, something that truly defied logic, would you be afraid? It’s not uncommon to be overwhelmed with fear at how spectacular God can move. It was even prophesized in Isaiah 60 that the people would be taken aback and fearful of how grand God was going to bless them.
Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.
(Isaiah 60:5, KJV)
We are human and our hearts will naturally be afraid or shocked if God decides to show us His splendor. The Isaiah 41 verses mentioned earlier about rivers in high places and water in the desert weren’t literal, rather it was used for illustration purposes. But when God literally defied nature, even those who witnessed and were accustom to God’s power were shocked by this miracle.
But when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
(Mark 6:49-52, NIV)
The disciples were not strangers to God’s power. They saw Him heal the sick. They saw how the woman with the issue of blood touched His garment and was healed. They saw Him raise a 12-year-old girl from the dead. Yet, when they saw Him walking on water, it scared them.
Please don’t think just because you love God or because you walk closely with God that He can’t scare you with His power. Because He can knock your socks off! Leave you with your mouth wide open. In tears, a complete mess at what He can do.
What’s interesting about the walking on water scenario is what the last verse says. It says “they were completely amazed for they had not understood about the loaves”. They were shocked because they still couldn’t quite wrap their minds around the power of Jesus. They saw on a 1st hand account how Jesus fed 5,000 people with 2 fish and 5 loaves. But they still couldn’t comprehend it.
It even says their hearts were hardened to the miracle. It's okay to petition God for a miracle. God desires that we make our request known to Him. But be aware of whom you are asking to show you a miracle. God isn’t a magician that can surprise you because He pulled a rabbit out of His hat. God is a God who created the magician, the rabbit, and the hat. By His very command the seas are aware to not overflow land.
Should you not fear me?” declares the Lord. “Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail;
(Jeremiah 5:22, NIV)
This is the God that we ask to perform miracles. This is the God that we should ask to perform miracles. Praise God that He allows us to petition Him. But if you are asking God to do unnatural things, if you are asking Him to do the impossible, also ask God if He will give you the heart to receive it. Pray that your heart won’t be hardened once you witness the power of God. Pray that the miracle won’t shock you to the point where you turn Jesus away.
I pray that when God says, “It is I, be not afraid” because He has done the miraculous for you, that you will take heed. This message isn’t to discourage you from praying for the power of God to reign in your life. It is to prepare you for when the power of God does reign. Because God is so powerful, He is so outstandingly authoritative that His miracles can scare us.
But don’t let that stop you from sending up those prayers. Send those prayers up to God. Stay in His Word, and fast if need be. Gird yourself up. Prepare yourself for His power. So, when you see your miracle floating out on the sea, you won’t be afraid. When you witness the downpour of breath-taking blessings provided by God, you won’t fear. Instead, although the blessing may be overwhelming, you’ll know in your heart, God is whispering to you ever so gently,
“It is I, be not afraid”.
That’s all for this week guys! Have an awesome day and week.
Quin Arrington's debut book "And Then You Shall Have Good Success: Attaining Good Success God's Way" is available on Amazon in paperback and eBook format. Link to book listed below.