"Hidden Miracles"

 

“Hidden Miracles”

 

An elder in our New Hampshire church once asked if he could bring a Sunday message to the congregation. His topic was “Hidden Miracles” from Deuteronomy 29:5: “During the forty years that I (i.e. Moses as God’s chosen instrument) led you through the desert, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet.” My friend then went on to describe how God met the needs of 2-3 million people who’d left Egypt and journeyed to the brink of entering Canaan, the “Promised Land”. We’re familiar with the “big miracles” like crossing the Red Sea, provision of manna and water from rocks but he called our attention to the overlooked ones like the one cited above, most of which aren’t mentioned: wood for fires for cooking and warmth, food for the many animals and disposal of trash to name a few. Think of Jesus’ miracles: the Gospels specifically tell of about 37 but John closes his account of Christ’s life and deeds with “Jesus did many other things as well.” (John 21:25). We don’t know the number of His “hidden miracles” but each one was a blessing to those who experienced them.

Just as we have no way of knowing the magnitude of Jesus’ works (“If every one of them were written down…the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”—John 21:25) we can’t comprehend the extent of the “hidden miracles” in our lives. We can point to His unexpected provision in times of need, deliverance through circumstances which appeared to be hopeless, physical healings and other incidents which we can only describe as divine interventions. But have we thought about how many “misfortunes” we’ve likely been delivered from without our realizing it? For example, I visited in countless hospitals and care facilities for more than 50 years as a pastor and chaplain but I can’t think of a single time I became ill from being exposed to anything that posed potential danger, including during the height of the COVID crisis. To God goes praise!  

As I drive around town I’ve seen people run red lights and stop signs seconds before I got to an intersection. (Our 55++++ community is notorious for ignoring stop signs—I’ve almost been clobbered more than once.) So before putting the car in gear it’s a good idea to pray for alertness and protection. And thank God for His “hidden miracles”.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan