ON THE BRINK OF DISASTER OR THE VERGE OF A MIRACLE
Is there a way in which that which appears a disaster can be turned into a miracle? Seemingly, the world always lives on the brink of disaster. The news media is full of dire predictions about such things as Middle East tensions, global warning and the fate of the world's economy, all presented with a 'worst case scenario'.
On a more personal level, we have all heard stories of people who perished in snowstorms within reach of safety, or gold miners who gave up only inches short of the mother lode. They were on the edge of a miracle but ended up in disaster.
To a certain extent, life is like that. Every time a physical problem strikes, you are on the verge of a disaster or on the verge of a miracle. You can be defeated by it or you can trust God for your healing and wholeness.
Joseph was a man who had to overcome some very difficult circumstances. The amazing thing is that he never allowed his spirit to be overwhelmed. Whether in a prison or in a pit, he still had a level of faith with God that brought him through. Indeed, he went from the pit to the palace.
When you look at Moses and the Children of Israel with the Red Sea on one side and the Egyptian army on the other, you can see how a potential disaster of immense proportions was turned into a magnificent victory.
Many incidents in the life of David fit this pattern. Consider his confrontation with Goliath. Only a miracle from God prevented disaster for the whole nation. When he was fleeing from Saul, on a number of occasions he narrowly escaped with his life style='color: white'> The New Testament Church had similar experiences. For example, there were times when divisive truths brought the church to a crisis point. Out of truth such as justification by faith. A potential disaster became a miracle.
KEYS TO YOUR MIRACLE:
Abraham adopted a similar posture while waiting for the birth of Isaac, the child of promise. According to Romans 4:18, Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations…(NIV)
In both cases, they refused to listen to the negativity around them, and instead responded to God in faith.
In your own personality, you'll have to strongly fight negativism. We are prone to this. In our fallen state, the tendency is to talk negatively, think negatively, and act negatively.
Hope is one of the great enduring qualities mentioned in 1 Cor. 13:13. Not only do we have the hope of His return, but it is the whole disposition we adopt in the midst of difficult circumstances. No matter what we go through, we will remain in that quality of attitude anticipating an answer from heaven.
Hope always is positive in its anticipation.
* There are some who live in turmoil. They talk of nothing else.
* There are some who live in fear. Their whole environment is one of fear, and this is reflected in their speech and actions.
Hebrews 11:1 declares that faith is the assurance of things hoped for. Faith gives substance to our hope by bringing it into the present.
Faith and hope have one common factor-their object is still invisible at the moment of prayer.
Mark13:31 declares that Heaven and earth shall pass away, but His words shall not pass away.
Read and meditate on Psalm37 as an example of David placing his security in God. It contains many promises of His faithfulness toward us.
This principle is clearly found in the incident when Peter stepped out of the boat to go to Jesus who was walking on the water. As Peter also walked on the water to meet Jesus, he was certainly on the brink of disaster or on the verge of a miracle!
As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he walked miraculously. However, as soon as he diverted his attention to the tempest around him, he began to sink. Even then, Jesus was there for him.
Hebrews 12:2 declares, Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of your life. He can intervene in human affairs and circumstances, but He cannot do so when you take your eyes off Him.
You cannot go through a crisis unless you have a very clear goal or it will overwhelm you. By keeping your eyes on Jesus you keep your vision clear and your goals defined.
Hebrews 12: 1 refers back to the 'Honor Roll of faith' in Hebrews 11. These great men and women of faith saw the miraculous hand of God time and time again in their lives.
Be inspired, not only by the Biblical heroes of faith such as Moses, David, and Daniel, but also by the mighty men of today. Read autobiographies of people such as George Mueller, Kathryn Kuhlman, and Oral Roberts and see how God powerfully touched their lives.
Be ever mindful of the great things that God has done for others, and also in your own life. They will comfort and strengthen you. You will see a God who has never failed, who has worked in many lives in a crisis hour.
Hebrews 10:35 & 36 says that if we have patience we will receive the promise. Miracles are not always instant. We need to have patience to understand what appears to be a disaster can ultimately bring the glory and praise of God in a miracle.
In the midst of all your trying circumstances, stay in the center of God's will. Don't be tempted to step out of His will.
You need to understand that there is often a progressive, natural element in the fulfillment of God's purposes. If you give up too early, you will miss out on the best that God has for you.
There is a difference between faith and trust. Trust stands unmoved, but faith takes action.
Even when there is financial disaster, there are certain steps of faith you can take. You can start giving and sowing, expecting some fruitfulness. Faith always takes action in spite of the circumstances.
Trust, on the other hand, is passive. It is rooted in the integrity of God's Word, and in a God who keeps His covenant. Trust places its feet on solid ground. It is not moved by circumstances.
When you say, "I believe", God requires you to do something every time. The woman with the issue of blood had to actually press through the crowd to touch Jesus.
When you say, "I trust", He doesn't expect you to do anything other than remain steadfast in the circumstances. trusting in His very nature and character to see you through.
When you find someone who has really been established in God. you'll find someone who has really trusted the Lord. They are not moved by storms, or circumstances.
Faith is a gift of God-it is born of Him. Learn how the principles of faith work and operate in your life.
As soon as humility is displayed, God will work. In 2 Chronicles 20:3-7, when Israel faced a great crisis, Jehoshaphat humbled himself before God. As a consequence, God performed a miracle of deliverance for the nation.
The key to David's life was the brokenness and his humility he displayed in his search for cleansing and honesty, and in his desire to please the Lord.
According to Joel 2:12-20,the key to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in these, the Last Days, is in humility and repentance before Him.
'Even now,' declares the LORD, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.'
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity [Joel 2:12-13(NIV)].
The believer should always live on the verge of a miracle as his anticipation is totally different from those who live in the world.
The miracle of the future lies in your heart and mouth!
By: Reginald Klimionok