“When God steps in miracles happen.”
Unknown
A miracle is “an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs.” The miracle of the feeding of the four thousand, found in Matthew 15:34-37, followed “the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing.” And yet, in verse 33 the disciples wondered how they could feed all those people.
“Jesus simply asked them, ‘How many loaves do you have?'” (34)
“‘Seven,’ they replied, ‘and a few small fish.'” (34)
“He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then He took the seven loaves and the fish, and when He had given thanks, He broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.” (35-37)
Even though the disciples spent time in the presence of Jesus and watched Him perform miracles, they struggled with unbelief. When I don’t have faith for something, God can still work a miracle because it’s based on His compassion and power.
In order for a miracle to be made, we need to first give Jesus what we have. The disciples gave Jesus the few loaves of bread and fish they possessed and He turned it into enough food to feed thousands. Likewise, we need to give God what we’ve got. He doesn’t ask us to give Him more than what we have.
Jesus gave thanks, which is the next step in the making of a miracle. In the same way, we are to give thanks for what He has given to us and for the miracle only He can perform. God multiplies what we give to Him so that we can give more away.
There will be no miracles if we only hold onto the gifts He’s given to us and do not return them to Him to bless. The last miracle making step is to offer your talents and spiritual gifts to share with others. Give away what He’s given to you, for that is the only way people will be filled and satisfied. Holding onto God’s blessings for our own enjoyment will not lead to contentment.
Not only were all the people full, there were leftovers. We can’t out give God. After we release to God all that we have, there will be more than enough to give away at another time.
A miracle in the making requires we give God what we’ve got, we give thanks for what He’s given to us and we give it away to others. The end result: all are satisfied and we are content.
“When Jesus performed miracles, He wasn’t demonstrating what God can do, but what God can do through a man.” Bill Johnson
Relevant Reflections:
1. What do you need God to multiply in your life?
2. Which of the three miracle making steps do you need to develop?
3. What miracle does God want to perform through you?