Signs & Wonders

Miracles are a tricky thing. The problem is that, in order for something to really be a miracle, the circumstances must get so desperate and impossible that divine intervention is the only explanation for how catastrophe was averted.

For example, think about Gideon and his army. They start out outnumbered by 3:1, but this is too many. When victorious, the Israelites would have believed they delivered themselves out of the control of the Midianites. So God leans his army down to the point where they're at a 10:1 disadvantage. Still too many. It ends up with Gideon and 300 soliders facing tens of thousands of enemy warriors. Odds are pretty poor at this point, but God takes it one step further. They get torches and clay pots as weapons. The kicker is that they win -- decisively.

So, this is all well and good. We see that the Lord fights on behalf of His people, and Gideon and all of the Israelites are delivered from their enemies. But here's the catch: what do you think was going through the mind of Gideon as his army dwindled from over 10,000 down to 300? When they were told not to take their weapons? When, despite all common sense, they still went to fight?

What is it like to not simply WITNESS a miracle, but to LIVE a miracle. How much fear and stress do you think these 300 were feeling? How much faith must that have taken to trust in God and march against their enemy? Do we have as much faith?

So here's a challenge that was given to me, almost 1 month ago, and I now pass on to you as well: Let God use you in a miracle. When the circumstances get difficult, rather than blaming God or folding under pressure and running away, take a stand and believe. Have the faith to endure the pressure of the impossible, that God might manifest His glory.