Miracles are God’s handiwork and His alone. The Psalmist says, “Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who ONLY doeth wondrous things” (Psalms 72:18). No special prayer or method or special deeds that we can muster up will ever produce miracles; but the Bible does seem to indicate a way for us to provide an atmosphere in which miracles often occur.
On several occasions in the Bible, we see how God did wondrous things when those involved began to worship, praise, and give thanks in spite of all kinds of negative circumstances.
King Jehoshaphat and his kingdom were in a situation with odds overwhelmingly against them. His prayer was:
“O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee” (2 Chron 20:12).
After prophetic response, they went into battle – not with weapons for fighting – but the weapon of praise and worship:
“And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth forever.
And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten” (2 Chron 20:21-22).
They never had to lift up one bow, javelin, or sword! Their enemies destroyed themselves!
When Paul and Silas were imprisoned, they began singing hymns of praise at midnight. An earthquake occurred and every jail cell door was opened! (Acts 16:25-26)
All throughout Psalms, the Psalmist encourages himself to worship, praise, and give thanks in the midst of difficult times:
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God:for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God” (Psalms 42:11).
One time, David knew that men were waiting outside his house to kill him as soon morning came (see 1 Sam 19:11 and the title for Psalm 59). David chose that very moment to write a song to confess his trust in God through praise. Notice that he begins with “but” and that he plans to sing this song “in the morning” – the very time planned for his assassination:
“But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble” (Psalms 59:16).
There are many, many examples in the Scriptures, but I will close with one final portion:
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments” (Habakkuk 3:17-19).
The Hebrew word for “joy” used here is “Giyl” which literally means: to spin round under the influence of any violent emotion. In spite of all the negative circumstances confronting him, Habakkuk chose to compose a song and sing it while jumping up and down and spinning around with explosive emotions of extreme joy! His confession of faith was that the God of his salvation (notice he says, “God of my salvation”!) would make his feet like hind’s feet on the most difficult and steep hills of his contrary circumstances!
Have you ever seen mountain goats and their extreme agility on slippery, mountainous cliff sides? Check out this video on YouTube:
“He will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places!” (Notice he says “MINE high places”!) Now that’s one amazing confession of faith – faith born out of determined praise, worship, and thankfulness!
Perhaps praise and worship is the correct atmosphere for miracles simply because God knows that when the miracle happens, all the glory will return rightfully to Him!
Yes! There is definitely something to be said about being diligent in providing the right atmosphere for miracles – an atmosphere of worship and praise! Amen! Amen!!
