Does God Still Do Miracles?

Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.

But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.”

Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.”  Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” John 11:38-44

In John 11, Jesus shows His power, His power over death. His dear friend Lazarus had been sick and died. Jesus stayed where He was when He learned of Lazarus’s sickness until He knew Lazarus was dead. Why? He did it for God’s glory, so everyone could see the power of God manifested in Lazarus.

Jesus was the God who had the power to raise Lazarus from the dead!

He was the God of miracles, the God who does the impossible!

We have all heard the miracles of the Bible such as Lazarus being raised from the dead. We know Jesus turned water to wine (John 2), Peter walked on water (Matthew 14). We’ve read about Jesus feeding 5000 with only five loaves and two fish (John 6). Blind Bartimaeus was healed simply because he believed and called on Jesus (Mark 10:46-52).

And that’s just the New Testament, the stories of Jesus’s miracles. We haven’t even begun to touch on the Old Testament and the miracles the prophets did in the name of Jehovah. The stories of Elijah’s life show God’s power like few others. Remember when he raised a young boy from the dead (1 Kings 17)? Or how he called down fire from heaven when facing the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18)? Or how about when he declared a drought and then prayed for the end of the drought (1 Kings 18)?

Many other people in the Old Testament also witnessed miracles of God. They prayed for God to move, and He responded in mighty ways! His power was manifested simply through the prayers of His people!

So my question is this: Does God still do miracles?

God is the Great I Am, the God of the present (Exodus 3:14). He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end–and everything in between (Hebrews 21:6).

So does He still move? Does He still do miracles? Is He still able?

Perhaps these are questions I’m asking myself, wondering why we don’t see the miracles of God these days. Is it because God doesn’t move any more? Is it because we have the completed Word of God in Jesus Christ? Have the signs ceased as some denominations teach?

Or is it because we simply don’t have the faith to believe God is able? Is it because our view of God is too small? Is it because we simply don’t ask or expect Him to move? Is it because we have grown so comfortable and independent instead of living our lives dependent on Him?

I guess these are the questions I am struggling with today. There’s no doubt I’ve seen God provide for me in ways only He can. I’ve seen Him at work in my life. But, as the years have gone by, I find myself in a complacency, living this life as if miracles no longer happen. I have once again put God in a neat little box where I think I know how He moves. I seem to be living my life dependent upon myself, my hard work, my abilities–all God given–instead of living a life of total dependence upon Him.

My life is really kind of boring. It exists of going to work, collecting a paycheck (for which I am grateful!), and looking for ways to enjoy this life here on earth. But I’m not convinced this type of life is what God intended for His children!

I’m certainly not knocking anyone who lives this life, but I just find myself wondering if there’s more to living the abundant life He called us to (John 10:10). What would an abundant life look like? Would it consist of being completely dependent on God instead of ourselves? Would it be a life of adventure? Would it mean I see God’s hand move in ways I don’t expect? Would I see His power manifested in miracles?

I do believe God is still a God of miracles, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I believe with all my heart He is ready and willing to move in ways we don’t expect. I think sometimes we as Christians (especially those of us in America) have simply become so dependent on our own abilities that we fail to ask for miracles or have the faith to see Him move. What I do know is that God stands ready and willing to do far above anything we could ever ask, hope, or imagine and that the power that raises people from the dead is alive and well in all believers!

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

Maybe it’s time we examine our lives and figure out how to live in that power!!