From the beginning God has wanted to be close to the crown of his creation. He walked and talked in the garden with Adam and Eve until they sinned. God’s desire is the same today. His Spirit still moves in the hearts of men. Romans 2:4 talks about the goodness of God that leads a soul to repentance. Do you have a heart that is tender and responsive to the Spirit of God? That is something that each one of us can decide. We can choose to draw near to God or to harden our hearts.
Let us consider God’s handiwork and the effects his wonders can have upon the hearts of men. God is our creator. When we stop and really consider that thought, it is amazing. The human body is so detailed. Every part has its individual function and it all works together with the other members of our body. Consider one major sense of our body, our vision. Our eye is made up of many different layers including the cornea which takes in light and transforms this light into electric impulses. These electric impulses are then transported to the brain by the optic nerve. This is the abbreviated version of how our vision works. We could study all the layers of the eye including the pupil, iris, and vitreous chamber and each of their separate roles in our sight. Such a sophisticated process for something that so many of us take for granted, our ability to see. Every part of the human body is this complex. Psalms 139:14 says, I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Truly, mankind is the crown of God’s creation. Life is a miracle that only God can give.
God wants his children to see and acknowledge his greatness. By studying the Old Testament, we can see many examples of where God performed the impossible. In so many of these instances God did not just perform the miracle to meet a specific need, but also for the benefit of those who were looking on or would hear of His works.
The book of Joshua, starting in chapter 2 is an excellent example of the far-reaching effects that a miracle can produce. Here we read about Joshua sending two spies to search out the land of Jericho. These spies stayed in the house of Rahab. In verses 9-11, Rahab recounts to the spies all that she has heard about their God. She tells them that her people have heard how their God parted the waters of the Red Sea and delivered the Israelites from their enemies. Rahab then admits her fear of God and acknowledges him as the God of heaven and of earth. These miracles and wonders have worked a softening in the heart of Rahab. She is moved to kindness and hides the Israelite spies from the Kings men. She asks only to have her own life and those of her family spared when the Israelites conquer Jericho.
Israel was delivered from Egypt by the parting of the Red Sea. While this miracle made a way for the Israelites, it also made an impression upon the honest heart of a sinner woman. Because of this miracle Rahab and her whole family were saved.
God’s miracles work fear and humility in the hearts of the unsaved. They also work courage and confidence in the hearts of his children. In Joshua 2:24 the spies tell Joshua, Truly the Lord hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us. When God answers prayer, faith is inspired in the hearts of the believer. The Israelites recognized that God was on their side and they went on to battle Jericho confident that God would give them the victory. Psalms 60:12 says, “Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.” Through mighty works and miracles, God seeks to humble the heart of the sinner and to inspire faith and courage in his children.
Daniel 4:2-3
I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders, that the high God hath wrought toward me.
How great are his signs! And how mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.
-Christie L Karns
