What is a Miracle

We are surrounded by God’s miracles every day, yet many times we overlook them.

There is told a story of an Eastern king long ago. The king was seated in a garden, and one of his counselors was speaking of the wonderful works of God. “Show me a sign,” said the king, “and I will believe.” “Here are four acorns,” said the counselor, “will you, Majesty, plant them in the ground, and then stoop down for a moment and look into this clear pool of water?” 

The king did so, “Now,” said the counselor, “look up.” The king looked up and saw four oak-trees where he had planted the acorns. “Wonderful!” he exclaimed, “this is indeed the work of God.”

 “How long were you looking into the water?” asked the counselor. “Only a second,” said the king. “Eighty years have passed as a second,” said the counselor. The king looked at his garments; they were threadbare. He looked at his reflection in the water; he had become an old man. “There is no miracle here, then,” he said angrily. “Yes,” said the counselor, “it is God's work, whether he did it in one second or in eighty years.”

When you hear the word miracle what do you think of? Do you think of the immediate parting of the Red Sea? Or what about the instantaneous provision of food for the feeding of the five thousand? Most times when we think of miracles we associate them with the great and wondrous things God did in the Bible. But do you realize miracles happen even today?

I’m not talking about the stories of God mysteriously providing money for people or missionaries miraculously having buildings provided, although these are great miracles. But how about the fact you got up this morning? How about the fact that your heart is still pumping and you are alive? That is a miracle from God as well!

Source: DITW, December 29, 2008