Divine Miracles Reveal God’s Nature

Have you ever examined the paintings of artists thoughtfully?  To understand what they like to paint and how they paint them? When we analyse their artistic work, it often gives clues to the artists. It reveals something of their personalities, preferences, interests and so forth.  Similarly, when we see the handiwork of God, it reveals to us something about Him.  Even divine miracles tell us so much about God.

Divine miracles do not only serve their immediate purpose.  It also reveals to us something about the nature of God.

Often, we are very excited to see miracles in our midst.  We want to see more of God’s divine action in our midst.  Yet it is important for us to realise that divine miracles do not only serve their immediate purpose.  But often it has higher purposes, God's purposes.  It also reveals to us something about the nature of God.  In understanding these, it may also help us understand why, at times, God does not intervene supernaturally or in the way we expect.

Why does God intervene with divine miracles?  From the passage of Joshua 4:15-5:1, I will unpack 5 aspects.

Joshua 4:15–5:1 (NIV)

²⁴ He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”

1. BECAUSE HE IS A MIRACLE-WORKING GOD

Joshua 4:15–19 (NIV) ¹⁵ Then the Lord said to Joshua, ¹⁶ “Command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant law to come up out of the Jordan.”  ¹⁷ So Joshua commanded the priests, “Come up out of the Jordan.”  ¹⁸ And the priests came up out of the river carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord. No sooner had they set their feet on the dry ground than the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and ran at flood stage as before.

The piling up of the River Jordan showed divine intervention.  Exactly as God commanded the priests, at exactly the precise time they stepped out of the river, the water flowed again.  At flood stage.  It was not a coincidence.  It was supernatural.  It was a divine miracle.  God is a miracle-working God.  This divine act points to us several truths.

a) God is above natural physical laws.

God made the universe and set into motion the physical laws that govern the entire universe. God works with these natural laws, and He is quite happy to do so most of the time.  Yet God Himself is not bound by any of those laws. Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV) ""Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." Job 42:2 (NIV)  ""I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted."

God is above and beyond the natural physical laws. He is omnipotent.  That is why God is not bound by time – He is eternal.  That is why God is not bound by physical limitation – He can be anywhere at any time, at the same time. His knowledge is boundless.  He is omniscient.  In his very being, God is supernatural. He is not limited by natural laws.

b) God can intervene in natural laws (v18) “…waters of the Jordan returned to their place and ran at flood stage as before.”

God set up the physical laws of the universe, like gravity, entropy etc.  Because those physical laws work well, God prefers to let them operate as they should most of the time.  This is the same with every other principle, whether spiritual, social, or authority, etc.  But God can and does intervene at times.  God stopped the Jordan River from flowing.  God can suspend gravity.  God can stop the Earth’s motion around the sun as in Joshua 10:13.

Yet it is just as easy for God to part the Red Sea as it is to heal a person of a cold. God did not have to exert Himself to part the Red Sea.  It is all equally easy for Him!  So when we ask God for miracles – it makes no difference whether He heals us from the flu or removes a terminal cancer. 

That’s why Jesus said in Matthew 17:20 (NIV) "He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.""  It is not so much the size of our faith that matters.  But so long as we have the right quality of faith.  A faith that unwaveringly trusts God for it!  So why does God intervene with divine miracles?  Simply because He can!  He is the Almighty God!

  

2. BECAUSE HE IS JEHOVAH-JIREH

Joshua 4:19–23 (NIV) ¹⁹ On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. ²⁰ And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. ²¹ He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ ²² tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ ²³ For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over.

God provided for the Israelites’ need to cross the Jordan River to get to the Promised Land.  He made sure it was fully accomplished.  Why would God do that?  Because God, in his character, is the Provider.  That is why He is known as Jehovah Jireh.  Just as when God provided a sacrificial ram in place of Isaac.  Genesis 22:14 (NIV) "So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide..."

a) God provides for our needs.

God is a compassionate God whose heart is to provide for us at our point of need. Indeed, Jesus often healed out of compassion. God wants to provide for our needs - whatever the need might be, so long as it is genuine.  He promises in Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

I am not referring to wants, preferences and such.  God does not want to spoil us!  Although in God’s mercy and abundance of heart, He does at times provide those as well.  Just as good fathers want to be providers for their family.  God provides for His family.  Often, God provides for us by helping us understand universal principles of prosperity and blessings.  Yet at times, in making sure He provides for us, God intervenes with miracles.  Years ago, there was a woman in Bangkok who suffered from HIV. It caused her tremendous difficulty, for it was before there was any HIV medication.  The senior pastor prayed for her again and again.  At first, nothing happened, then one day she was miraculously healed. The doctors could not find any traces of it.  There was no way that she could be healed unless God intervened.

b) God provides support/provision? for our obedience.

The Israelites were not just having a need met in crossing the River Jordan.  But they were doing so in obedience to God’s instructions.  God not only provides for our needs, but He is especially eager to provide for our obedience. God does miraculously intervene to help us move another step further in our obedience.  God will give us extra support to fulfil His purposes!

Abraham was enabled by God to have a child in his old age, as revealed in Hebrews 11:11 (NIV) "By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise."

When we set out to pioneer a group for God as instructed by Him, be assured that He will provide!  When we reach out to touch the hearts of the lost and hurt, He will provide! When we seek to touch our community, He will provide! When we give by faith towards God's work, He will provide!

God provides for His people, especially when they are walking in obedience. 

Throughout Scripture, we see God provides for His people, especially when they are walking in obedience.  Are we walking in obedience today?

3. BECAUSE HE IS GLORIFIED IN HIS POWER

Joshua 4:24 (NIV) He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”

a) God demonstrates His glory that we might have faith.

The manifestation of God’s power leads to glory for God.  God’s revealing of His glory is not for showing off.  It has a higher purpose. It serves to help us realise how awesome He is – that we might place our faith in Him.  Many unbelievers turn to God once they realise that God is more powerful than any gods they worship.  We have heard of many witches and warlords who turn to Christ after they realise how infinitely more powerful God is.  None of their witchcraft can hinder God’s power.  God overrules them easily.

b) God is glorified in our weaknesses.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." It is in our weaknesses that the power of our miracle-working God can be revealed.  In such times, God can be glorified. 

God could have given them ferries or boats to cross the river.  But that would not have given much glory to God.  In the miracle, it was obvious that God intervened.  That is why we must give honour to God for His divine miracles and blessings!  Don’t ever rob God of His glory!

4. BECAUSE HE IS TO BE FEARED ABOVE ALL ELSE

Joshua 4:15–5:1 (NIV)  He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”

a)  We are to fear God.

In much modern preaching, the concept of fearing God has been diluted. In reaction to the excesses of fears driven by ignorance, modern society has sought to reject all irrational fears.  Of course, non-believers and liberal theologians consider the fear of God as part of this as well.  Hence, there are preachers who emphasise the love of God, the mercy of God, the gentleness of God and de-emphasise the holiness of God, the judgment of God, the wrath of God!

We totally agree that all irrational fears should be dealt with. Fears that are not based on fact.  Do we still have irrational fears?  Who is afraid of rats?  Who is afraid of heights? Who is afraid of enclosed places? 

God is to be feared because He is a holy God who will deal with sin! 

Irrational fear of God or fearing God due to ignorance must be addressed.  Nevertheless, there remains the fact that God is to be reverentially feared!  Isaiah 8:13 (NIV) "The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread…"  The word “dread” has the nuance “terrified”!  When was the last time we were terrified of God?  God is to be feared because He is a holy God who will deal with sin!  1 Peter 1:17 (NIV) "Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear."

Believers who deliberately walk out of God’s grace will be judged by God. Romans 11:20-22 (NIV) "²⁰ Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. ²¹ For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. ²² Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off."

God is to be feared because He will judge our souls!  Jesus said in Matthew 10:28 (NIV) "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

Jonathan Edwards had a powerfully convicting sermon entitled “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” in which he laid bare the danger of sinners falling into God’s angry hands. For example, in Acts 21: 21-23 is recorded the judgment of God upon King Herod..

b) So our fears would not be misplaced.

Most people have fears of various kinds.  And we allow those fears to rule our lives, even more than the fear of God.  For example, our fear of how our mates think of us, so we compromise to please them.  Or our fear of lack so we trust our finances more than God.  But if we truly fear God above all else, then we would obey Him!

 If we truly fear God above all else, then we would obey Him!

The ultimate way is to love God!  Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)  "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." But when our love for God is not that hot!  Then the fear of God has an important role to play! 

Do we love to be law-abiding citizens?  Or do we fear the long arm of the law?  Our love for being law-abiding may not be great!  But at least, because we fear the consequences of breaking the law, we will not break it!  God wants us to fear Him above all else.

5. BECAUSE HE IS JEHOVAH NISSI

Joshua 5:1 (NIV) Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the Lord had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.

The people in the land of Canaan became afraid once they realised that the Israelites had an awesome God.  It became evident that Jehovah was the source of victory for the Israelites.  To the Israelites, God was their banner of victory.  The Jehovah Nissi.  This title was proclaimed after the Israelites won the battle against the Amalekites. Where Joshua overcame, as Moses interceded by holding up his staff.  Exodus 17:15 (NIV)  "Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner."

God is to be our victory banner. God will move miraculously to grant us victory. Years ago, our churches in Thailand were persecuted by certain authorities.  Of the 3 top policemen in the nation, 2 actively persecuted the church.  Both were removed some time later.  But the one who did not persecute the church remained.  God is the victorious banner over His people.

Others will recognise God’s support, as we are God’s chosen people. Isaiah 45:2 (NIV) "I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron." 

When we stay close to God, He will be our victory over the most difficult circumstances.

When we stay close to God, He will be our victory over the most difficult circumstances.  We need not be overcomed.  He is our Jehovah Nissi.

CONCLUSION

Divine miracles reveal God for who He is.  God acts out of who He is.  This gives us tremendous assurance in following Him.

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