What does it mean that God is a God of miracles?
God is certainly a God of miracles. In the Bible, the miracles of God are also referred to as signs, wonders, and power. Miracles are acts of God that only He can do—they are beyond the realm of human understanding and ability. Psalm 77:12–15 says:"I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.
Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is great like our God?
You are the God who works wonders;
you have made known your might among the peoples.
You with your arm redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph."
There are a few things we can gather from these verses. When we ponder the works of God, we see His holiness. He does miracles and makes His power known among people. He uses the strength of His arm to redeem His people. Our God of miracles doesn't do miracles merely to amuse us or show off. God's miracles serve to reveal Him to us by making His power evident at work within our lives and the world around us.
The Greek word dunamis is translated as "miracle," but its true meaning in the Greek is "power." Often God's miracles bypass the laws of nature that He Himself established. We see this in the story of Moses and the burning bush, in which a bush was on fire but was not consumed by it (Exodus 3:2–4). God used this as a method to get Moses to turn aside so that He could speak with him. Not all of God's miracles completely bypass the laws of nature. When He parted the Red Sea for Moses and the Israelites to cross through, He used "a strong east wind" (Exodus 14:21). Our God of miracles uses miracles to get our attention and enable us to hear His message and see Him through the eyes of faith.
Frequently, people who desire signs from God merely want them for the sake of entertainment, such as King Herod in Luke 23:8. This is not why the God of miracles does miracles, however—they always serve a purpose, whether it be to share a special word or reveal wisdom to us, or to showcase the power of God in a way that others will see and glorify God. This was the case when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead: "Jesus said to her, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?' So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me'" (John 11:40–42). After this, Jesus brought Lazarus back to life: "When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out.' The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, and let him go'" (John 11:43–44). Many of the Jews who were present put their faith in Jesus as the Messiah after witnessing this miracle (John 11:45). This showcased Jesus' power and authority over death. Even when He Himself was crucified, death had no power over Jesus, as He was resurrected on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3–5). This made a way for the greatest miracle of all time—the free gift of salvation to all who believe.
God is the source of power behind every miracle. His miracles inspire wonder in us and ultimately serve as signs that reveal messages from God and truths about God to us. When we are in Christ, we also have His power at work within us: "'Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father'" (John 14:12). When we see miracles done in Jesus' name today, they should have the same result—not drawing attention to a person, but bringing all the attention and glory to God for His marvelous works and power.
Does God do miracles today?
Are all things really possible with God?
Why does God seem hidden to us today?
The attributes of God, what are they?
What should be a believer's response to the characteristics of God?
Truth about God
