Miracles: Myths or Foundations of Faith?
DEVOTIONS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS
Miracles: Myths or Foundations of Faith?
It’s a phone call you never want to receive… words you never want to hear.
I was in California enjoying a long-awaited week of adventure in the National Parks when the voicemail came through: “Mr. Reid, your son has been in a serious motorcycle accident. He’s alive, but unconscious, and is on his way to Rhode Island Hospital by ambulance.”
My mind began to race. I was 2,600 miles from home in the most remote area of the mountains. I didn’t even have cell service apart from this tiny Wi-Fi spot. What do I do now? My other son and I quickly jumped in the car and headed for the nearest airport. We had no plan, but we had 4.5 hours on the road to sort things out.
To make a long story short, through the prayers of many Christians and the protection of God, my son survived the accident – but even beyond that, we believe he was miraculously spared from significant long-term injury. Astonishing follow-up conversations with witnesses, EMTs, and doctors led us to believe that broken bones may have miraculously healed on the spot… internal injuries restored within minutes. In the hours following the accident, we personally witnessed visibly damaged areas on his body heal overnight. We saw deep pain from strain and trauma simply vanish.
I know some people—especially unbelievers—would naturally be skeptical reading this. Talking about miracles is tricky these days. Most people say they’d love to see tangible proof of God, but those same people would quickly dismiss this as nothing more than an uplifting story of youth and resilience.
In fact, most unbelievers scoff at the notion that any of the miracles in the Bible ever happened. As a result, some Christians are embarrassed to admit they believe in miracles. They avoid or downplay the miraculous stories in the Bible or attempt to rationalize them through natural explanations.
This reaction may seem to be relatively inconsequential at first, but it actually presents a significant logical inconsistency for all believers. That is, if any of the miracles in the Bible are untrue, then Christianity is in big trouble! If the miracles in Scripture are only myths, then we’re left with a Bible that's unreliable — a fictional work that’s filled with folklore and exaggerations. Remember, the miracle of the resurrection of Christ is essential to the Christian faith! So, let’s dig a little deeper into the significance of miracles.
What is a miracle?
The term “miracle” is often thrown around casually today. Events such as the “Miracle on Ice” at the 1980 Olympics, or the “Miracle on the Hudson” involving US Airways flight 1549 were not really “miracles.” A true miracle is when God overrules His normal laws of nature to accomplish something that’s otherwise physically or scientifically impossible. For example: a metal axe head floating on water (2 Kings 6), water flowing from a rock (Numbers 20), or the sun standing still in the sky (Joshua 10).
Why does the Bible include so many miracles?
The miracles in the Bible demonstrate that God is unlike anyone else, having complete control over creation. The primary purpose for miracles in Bible times was to confirm God’s Word as spoken by the people who did the miracles. In fact, the Bible often refers to miraculous occurrences as “signs.”
These signs can confirm God’s authority over those who oppose Him, as seen in the plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12) or the fire from heaven during Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). But these signs can also reassure believers that we can trust him as our Lord and Savior. John wrote about the miracles of Jesus “so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God…” (John 20:30-31). Similarly, Hebrews 2:3-4 indicates that God confirmed His message through signs and wonders.
Miracles today
At this point you may be thinking, “If the purpose of miracles is to confirm God’s Word, shouldn’t we still expect to see them happen regularly these days?”
There were many unique and amazing miracles in the early days of Christianity. The apostles performed healings among the people (Acts 5:12-16). Philip was physically transported by the Spirit to another location (Acts 8:39-40). Dorcas and Eutychus were raised from the dead (Acts 9:36-42; 20:7-12). However, dramatic miracles like these seem to happen less frequently now. Why? One big reason is that we now have the written Bible, so we don't need big miracles to confirm the spoken word of God. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
Although we may not need miraculous confirmation, God is certainly still doing miracles of healing, protection, and guidance every day. And if you talk to missionaries or other believers in regions where the Bible is not readily available, you’ll learn that God still confirms His Word in dramatic and miraculous ways.
It’s also important to remember that many of the great people of faith in the Bible did not experience or perform miracles. There’s no record of John the Baptist performing a single miracle, for example, but Jesus said about him: “I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John” (Luke 7:28). And while some experienced miracles of healing or deliverance, many other believers glorified God through their trials or even martyrdom (Luke 4:25-27; Mark 6:17-29; 2 Timothy 4:20).
How does all this apply to us?
Most of us can identify some form of miraculous activity in our lives, even if it’s simply appreciating the wonders of creation around us. And it’s crucial to our Christian apologetics that we don’t dismiss or downplay miracles in the face of a very critical world. So how can we approach miracles in a positive way?
1. Praise. Reflect on the evidence of God’s power, protection, and love. David meditated on creation in Psalm 8, and God urged Job to consider His wondrous works (Job 37:6-14).
2. Point. Share the signs of God's presence in friendly ways. Even if others are critical, we can say something like the blind man that Jesus healed: “One thing I do know. I was blind and now I see” (John 9:25).
3. Pray. Ask God to open the eyes of others to recognize His miraculous presence. When Elisha’s servant feared the attack of enemy forces, Elisha prayed that God would open his eyes so that he could see the protection of God’s army (2 Kings 6:17).
4. Persevere. We can patiently maintain our faith, knowing that God will ultimately reveal Himself. As God assured Habakkuk, “Wait patiently, for it will surely take place… the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the Lord” (Habakkuk 2:3;14).
Skepticism about miracles can overshadow the important truths they represent and the affirmations of God’s power and love in our lives today. If we begin to call any part of Scripture into doubt, we open the door for the lies and distortions which are Satan’s plan to destroy our faith (1 Peter 5:8).
Miracles challenge us to live out a faith that transcends our own understanding. Embracing the miraculous encourages us to trust in a God who can do far more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20), and to live as witnesses of His unchanging grace in a world that desperately needs hope.
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29.
- Ron Reid