Doubt Not, But Be Believing…
Not too long ago I heard a politician boldly declare of the COVID-19 pandemic that no miracle was coming. He said of his opponent’s declarations to the contrary, “He keeps waiting for a miracle. I have news for him: No miracle is coming.” I have no political agenda in bringing up these statements, nevertheless I happen to disagree with this sentiment about the potential for miracles.
Webster Dictionary defines miracle:
“an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs.”
I think of a miracle in similar fashion. When God’s hand moves upon the water and causes it to trouble, or to part, or to flow, or to calm, or to cease, depending on His all knowing design, it is a miracle, in any age or on behalf of any people. The very power of creation is a miracle unto itself, even those parts of creation in which God allows the participation of His children, mankind. Every time I have peered into a new born baby’s eyes I have witnessed a miracle from a God of miracles. In like fashion, when I have looked into the eyes of a long-lived life, knowing that those eyes would see shortly their Redeemer, I have witnessed a miracle from the God of miracles.
When I was a very small boy I heard these words from an evangelical pastor, “I believe in miracles, because I believe in God“ (Kathryn Kuhlman). These words made a lasting impression on me. Do I believe in miracles? Yes I do, because I believe in God. Everything I see, everything I have experienced, tells me that there is a God, the Almighty Father of Jesus Christ, and He is a God of miracles.
Regarding miracles, and our Heavenly Father’s power and continuing will to perform them, never have truer words been spoken than by those of the ancient prophet Moroni. “I will show unto you a God of miracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and it is that same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are… (Mormon 9:11). …God has not ceased to be a God of miracles” (Mormon 9:15).
Unlike mortal man, we who without divine interaction would grope in the dark for a mere glimpse of understanding the nature of our own creation, God has a full and infinite knowledge of all things, for He is the author of it all. Mortals proclaim by science to know far beyond ourselves, but for God there is no theory nor conjecture, no more experimentation for advancement. With capacity infinitely beyond ours, He created the worlds and all things that in them are. What may appear to us to either be a simple work of nature, or to even violate the laws of nature, is the very handiwork of the Almighty God. He does not violate the laws of nature but has knowledge and capability to work miracles within those laws far beyond our comprehension.
While it would be easy for some to compare the wisdom of man to God like an insect to man, that is a poor example. We as literal sons and daughters of God may grow to be like Him, and therefore by His authority and power can miracles be performed by His offspring. Indeed, the Omnipotent God, our Father, is the God of miracles, and many of His miraculous works are performed through His children, by His power. He works His miracles by priesthood power, by humble faith, by the movement of His hand upon nature’s elements, and by divine inspirations in the minds and hearts of all men, sparking discovery and invention to further His will and to bless His children. He is the God of miracles.
Moroni said well to our generation, “…has the day of miracles ceased? Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has He withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will He, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved? Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men” (Moroni 7:35-37).
Miracles have not ceased and nor has the Father of Heaven and Earth forgotten His beloved children struggling in this day. He will not stay His hand in His loving involvement with His children, neither in crisis or calamity nor in restful peace or celebration. We may not understand the workings of God’s hand, but it is there still reaching out and guiding this great work of building His kingdom and bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39). This is His work and glory where no other can lay claim.
A miracle is coming, whether by vaccine, cure, or healing power, a miracle is coming. Many miracles are coming. Miracles surround us like ever flowing streams of love and righteousness, guiding us through tribulation to harbors of safety and peace. As Moroni said, “Doubt not, but be believing” (Mormon 9:27), and we shall see the power of God’s almighty and gentle hand in the beauty of the world and in all aspects of life and human affairs. May we doubt not and just believe in the God of miracles. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.