Miracles Amid the Mundane

The story is told of a man trapped on the roof of his house amid rising flood waters praying to God for help.  A short time later a man came by in a boat and offered to help him.  "No thank you, I am waiting for God to rescue me."   As the waters continued to rise, a rescue squad boat came by and pleaded with the man to come with them.  "No," he replied, "I am waiting for God to rescue me."  Finally the water rising and moving at a level too dangerous for boats, a rescue helicopter was sent for him.  Again he refused the help stating that "God was going to rescue him."  Unfortunately, the rising water overcame his house and he drowned.  In heaven he questioned God as to why he he didn't rescue him.  God replied, "I sent two boats and a helicopter."

A lot of people are like this man looking for the miraculous when God is working through ordinary situations, people, and methods.  In 2 Kings 5 Naaman was an army commander stricken with leprosy.  Upon the suggestion of a slave girl from Israel, he visited the Prophet Elisha in hope of being healed.  Upon coming to Elisha's house and inquiring for the prophet, Elisha sent his servant out to tell Naaman to go wash himself seven times in the Jordan and he would be healed.  At this thought, Naaman was angry.  He thought the prophet would come out and appeal to God and wave his hand and heal him.  His expectation was wrong.  He then complained about the prescription for healing, questioning the logic of such a request.  Fortunately for Naaman, he was open to good counsel.  His servant reminded him that if the prophet had required some great thing, Naaman would have done it. Convinced ,Naaman did as Elisha told him and he was healed of his leprosy.

Too often we are like the man in the flood asking God for some miraculous deliverance when God is telling us to look around, the answer is simple.  The problem is we can be like Naaman and place certain expectations on how God will answer.  When the answer is simple, just obey what God says.  The answer may be found in the Bible, in prayer, through Godly counsel, or just going to the doctor.  We must be careful  not to miss the miraculous amid the mundane.

Come see us Sunday.  We will be talking about that.
Pastor Jeff