Miracles require problems

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:29-33, NIV)

I have learned after more than 60 years of ministry that God always answers prayer. I want to encourage you. God never fails - He cannot fail. But to get the answer at the right hour we have to be ready, we have to be obedient, and God will answer - at the last minute. In my life God so often answers one minute before midnight. One minute before the crisis erupts. We have many kinds of problems, many different needs, but I believe in miracles. Do you? Then let me warn you of two things!

First, God does not work miracles alone! He needs people to be involved in them. When He miraculously fed the 5000, He first needed 5000 hungry people, as well as a boy with five loaves and two fishes. When He walked on the water, the miracle also involved the storm and the disciples. In order that your miracle can happen, God needs you to become part of the miracle.

God is going to use your problem to work the miracle

Second, you can’t have a miracle without a problem! If that boat had not been in a storm on the sea, there would have been no miracle with Jesus walking on the water. If you want to see miracles, God is going to use your problem, your difficulty, your crisis in order to work the miracle. That crisis you have - that sickness, that cancer, that arthritis, that financial problem - God will use this to create a miracle.

And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:13-14)

‘Let the Spirit of the Lord come down’ by Vinesong