Miracles

O. T. #423  "Miracles"
December 19, 2014
Deuteronomy 26-Part 2
And the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders. Deut. 26:8

LET IT GLOW

Are you needing a miracle this year? Do you live in a troubling time, with a disease, with financial lows, with family problems? I know who can help us. Jesus performed many miracles while He walked upon the earth. He looked for the person's faith in Him. Do you have faith in Jesus to give you a miracle this Christmas season? He was the miracle, is our miracle, and will be our miracle. Are we looking for one, with anticipation? If He so chooses, He is able to perform a miracle for us. Only God can perform miracles.

Webster's Dictionary defines miracle as a wonder; marvel; an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs.

If man can duplicate a miracle, then it is not a miracle, since only God can perform a miracle. (Roger Robins)

Verses 5-11, we read about Israel's patriarch Jacob.

The MacArthur Bible Commentary gives us these details:

 He was the "wandering Syrian." Jacob was each Israelite's father or ancestor. When Jacob fled from his home in Beersheba, he passed through Syria (Aram) to Mesopotamia (Aram-naharaim, genesis 24:10) to live with Laban, his uncle. Returning from there, Jacob was overtaken by Laban after he came through Syria at the Jabbok River, where he not only faced the wrath of Laban, but also that of Esau his brother. Later, the famine in Canaan necessitated his migration to Egypt. when the Israelites became populous and powerful, they were oppressed by the Egyptians, but it was God who enabled them to enter and conquer the land from which the firstfruits were presented before the altar. 

Jacob only had 70 family members that went with him to live in Egypt. Over the course of time, 400 years, as slaves, Israel's population grew to around 2 million.

When an Israelite appeared before God and called himself an Aramaen, it was a confession of his worthlessness and a testimony that he depended upon the grace of God. (Falwell)

Yes, our righteousness is as filthy rags. That is why our soul needs to be clothed in the righteous robe of Jesus' blood when we enter the throne room of a Holy God. We enter prayerfully, surrendered and worthlessness, seeking the grace and mercy of God.

LET IT GROW

God heard the Israelites' cries, looked upon their affliction, labor, and oppression. How did the Lord bring Israel out of Egypt? Verse 8 tells us, in reference to 4:34, God delivered them with:

• a mighty hand, (mighty means strong, hard, violent, loud, stiff; hand refers to an open hand, which indicates power, means, direction);
• an outstretched arm, (outstretched means to stretch or spread out, to bend, to stretch forth)
• great terribleness, (terribleness refers to a fearful thing or deed; dread; terror)
• signs, (signs were in the sense of appearing; a signal, as a flag, beacon, monument; evidence; mark)
• wonders. (wonders referred to a sense of conspicuousness; a miracle) 

God delivered Israel from the most powerful army in the world at that time. He did it with His strong, open hand, an outstretched arm, which was  to be feared, and evidence of His power, performing a miracle. How awesome our God is!
Israel knew it was their God who delivered them from slavery, setting them free to worship Him and serve Him; to be a new nation that belonged to God. Not only did Israel experience God's power, but the Pharaoh and Egyptians did also. (Exodus 14)

God was going to give Israel a land which flowed with milk and honey, foretold in Exodus 3:17. The land would provide green pastures for the sheep, cattle, and goats, which gave them milk and honey was the sweetness on the biscuit, an added blessing to sweeten their food. Perhaps the honey sweetened their disposition, too.

Reading about the power of God humbles me. Why do I limit Him? His is the same yesterday, today, and forever. god's mighty hand has not weakened. His outstretched arm is long enough to reach my situation. Do I look for evidences of His love and provision as God works in my life? Am I expecting a miracle this year? Am I looking for one?

Do you need a miracle, dear one? I know  who to contact for one-Jesus Christ. He came to earth in a miraculous way (conceived by the Holy Spirit and a virgin girl). Jesus performed many miracles while walking on earth. He lived a sinless life, died on the cross to purchase our salvation. Then, He miraculously rose from the dead, and intercedes for us to the Father. Isn't that a miracle!

LET IT GO

Let go of doubts, fears, troubles, and trust Jesus with them.

Believe a miracle is headed my way.

Watch in anticipation.

Thank God for the milk and honey He provides.