The Bible teaches that God is a God of miracles. This means that God has the power to intervene in the natural world in supernatural ways. Throughout Scripture, we see God performing miraculous signs and wonders to fulfill His purposes. As we explore what it means that God is a God of miracles, let’s consider some key aspects:
1. Miracles demonstrate God’s power
When God performs miracles, He demonstrates His almighty power over nature, physics, illness, and every dimension of life. Miracles like the 10 plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and raising Lazarus from the dead reveal God’s complete authority over the universe He created (Exodus 7-12, Exodus 14, John 11:38-44). The miraculous acts of Jesus also bear witness to His divine nature and authority over all realms (Matthew 8:23-27, Matthew 14:22-33, John 2:1-11). Simply put, miracles show that God is all-powerful.
2. Miracles fulfill God’s promises and plans
Throughout Scripture, God uses miracles to fulfill His promises and advance His redemptive plans. When God brought Israel out of slavery in Egypt, the miracles authenticated His covenant promises to Abraham to make his descendants into a great nation (Exodus 6:2-8). The miracles of Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, proving Jesus was the promised Savior (Matthew 1:22-23, Matthew 8:16-17, Matthew 12:15-21). On the day of Pentecost, the giving of the Holy Spirit in miraculous ways launched the ministry of the early church just as Jesus had promised (Acts 2:1-41). God still works miracles today to fulfill His plans.
3. Miracles reveal God’s glory and turn people to faith
Throughout Scripture, God uses miracles as manifestations of His glory to turn people to faith in Him. In the wilderness, God’s miraculous provision of manna and quail instilled dependence on Him (Exodus 16). Through Elijah’s contest with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, the fire from heaven proved the Lord’s superiority over idols (1 Kings 18:20-40). When Jesus raised Lazarus, God’s glory was put on display, causing many to believe in Christ (John 11:40-45). God still works miracles to make His glory known and bring people to salvation.
4. Miracles express God’s compassion and mercy
Miracles are not just raw displays of power – they often communicate God’s tender compassion. When Jesus fed the 5000, it was because He saw hungry people and had mercy on them (Matthew 14:13-21). Many of Jesus’ healings were motivated by compassion as He met pressing human needs (Matthew 14:14, Matthew 20:29-34). God still works miracles today out of deep love for His children, to meet their suffering with mercy.
5. Miracles overcome evil, sickness, and the effects of the Fall
The Bible teaches that decay, disease, and death entered the world through human sin (Genesis 3, Romans 5:12). Much sickness and suffering is part of living in a fallen creation under the curse of sin. But the miracles of Jesus broke the power of sin, evil, and the Fall, restoring God’s perfect will. Jesus showed the fullness of God’s power by healing blindness, leprosy, paralysis and driving out demons – reversing effects of the Fall (Matthew 8:1-4, Matthew 8:28-34, Matthew 9:27-31). Miracles are God’s way of giving glimpses of the full redemption still to come.
6. Miracles often accompany new seasons in God’s work
Miracles often cluster around the inauguration of a new era in God’s dealings with man. Moses did many miracles as God formed old Israel. The ministry of Elijah and Elisha marked pivotal moments of Israel’s history with many miracles. The miracles of Jesus announced the arrival of the kingdom of God on earth. The early church experienced miracles as the gospel went to the nations (Acts 3:1-10, Acts 19:11-12). We can expect miracles today as God advances His work in new ways.
7. Miracles inspire awe, worship, and growth in faith
Miracles are not just displays of power – they are meant to inspire awe, wonder, and growth in faith. After Jesus stilled the storm, the disciples were filled with reverent fear at His authority over the winds and waves (Mark 4:35-41). When Peter walked on water, he was astounded by Jesus’ supernatural control over nature (Matthew 14:22-33). Miracles inspire worship – after Jesus healed the paralyzed man, the crowds glorified God (Matthew 9:1-8). As we hear of God’s miracles, our faith can be strengthened.
8. Miracles give a foretaste of God’s future restoration
Jesus’ miracles offered a glimpse of the perfect world to come. His healings showed He has power over disease, a promise of the complete wellness in eternity (Luke 7:18-23). His feeding the 5000 prefigured the great banquet in the kingdom (Luke 14:15-24). His power over nature’s destructive force previews the coming day when “creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption” (Romans 8:18-21). Miracles give us a vision of the glorious restoration still to come.
9. God uses miracles selectively based on His wisdom
Though God has power to work miracles however He wills, Scripture shows He uses them selectively based on His perfect wisdom and sovereign plans. Jesus did not heal every sick person in Israel, but chose to heal some to authenticate His identity and ministry (Luke 4:23-27). God sovereignly distributes spiritual gifts like prophecy, tongues, and healing according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). We should avoid viewing miracles as something God must perform on demand, but trust Him fully even without miracles.
10. God’s Word and Gospel are even greater miracles
As amazing as biblical miracles are, Scripture points to God’s Word and the gospel as His supreme miracles. His Word miraculously intimately reveals God across thousands of years of human history (Hebrews 1:1-2). The gospel miraculously transforms sinful hearts, bringing eternal life by the Spirit (Romans 1:16, 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5). We should eagerly desire miracles, but prize God’s Word and gospel even more as His greatest wonders with the power to save souls forever.
In summary, the Bible reveals a God who actively works miracles throughout history to fulfill His purposes, express His compassion, authenticate His messengers, bring glory to His name, and redeem a fallen world. He uses miracles to confirm His Word, advance His kingdom, catalyze faith, and give glimpses of the world made new. May we have eyes to see God’s miraculous works afresh today!