Miracles, be careful
For God, all things are possible – Matt 19:26
The Bible uses terms like miracle or sign or wonder to describe extraordinary events that unmistakably demonstrate God's power, authority, and presence. However, when thinking about God, we must be very careful not to draw rigid distinctions between his modes of operation. One common pitfall is categorizing God's actions as either ordinary or miraculous.
By dividing God's work into these separate categories, we risk embracing a form of deism, where God is seen as directly involved during miraculous events, but usually he is distant. A more biblically accurate view is that God is sovereign over everything from the greatest cosmic events to the smallest details of our lives. He is constantly working his will in the world and in our personal experiences.
From this perspective, there is no fundamental difference in God's effort when parting the Red Sea, raising Lazarus from the dead, or providing our next breath. All are equal expressions of his divine will and power.
Psalm 104 beautifully illustrates this concept of God's ongoing care for his creation. It describes God's working in maintaining the cosmos, from celestial bodies to the smallest creatures, without distinguishing between miraculous and ordinary actions. Instead, it presents all of God's works as equally marvelous and worthy of praise.
I'll list a few problems that arise when we think of God in a deistic or distant way:
First – A Weak Prayer Life: If we perceive God as distant, our prayer life may lack expectancy and hope. We may question the value of our prayers, thinking God is too far removed to hear or respond. However, the Bible encourages us to pray without ceasing and assures us that God hears and responds to our prayers.
Second – We can easily have no expectation of intimacy with God: Viewing God as abstract and distant can hinder the development of a close personal relationship. Yet, Scripture portrays God as desiring intimate fellowship with his children.
Jesus refers to his disciples as friends, and in Revelation 3:20, we see Jesus looking for a close personal relationship with his children.
Third: We can misunderstand the gospel itself: When we think about God as distant, we're fighting against everything the gospel is. God coming to us, living with us, and dying for us because he loves us. And even though he ascended to be with his Father after his resurrection, the very Spirit of Jesus now lives in his children.
Fourth – We can easily get conversion wrong: If God is distant, we might view conversion or being born again primarily as a human decision based on intellect or sensitivity. However, Scripture presents salvation as God's sovereign act of love and rescue.
The last one I'll mention is reduced worship and gratitude: When we fail to see God's hand in the ordinary aspects of life, we may miss countless opportunities for worship and thanksgiving. Recognizing God's constant involvement can transform our daily experiences into moments of praise and gratitude.
Kind Father, you are constantly at work initiating all things and bringing all things to their appointed end. I'm sorry for doubting your nearness and your care. Thank you for loving me even though I will only really understand this when I'm with you. Please cause me to long for a close and intimate fellowship with you.
Song: Yet Not I, But Christ