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A MIRACLE TO PROVE
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Acts 14:8-18

John 12:37-38

 

“…he had done
so many miracles before them,

yet they believed not on him…”

 

A MIRACLE TO PROVE
 
This miracle may have brought the people to acknowledge the divine sanction of Paul and Barnabas as the Lord’s missionaries. However, the real challenge was whether the missionaries would resist the seductive bait of the enemy. It is a great temptation for missionaries when they are looked up to by the local people to promote themselves as lords over them, and easily forget their primary duty and position.
 
The missionary’s heart: This is again another stupendous miracle noted by Luke as he diagnosed that the man was lame from his mother’s womb and had no power to walk. The crippled man, on hearing the Word from Paul, believed that he could be healed. With the Spirit’s prompting, Paul (whose Christ-like heart was towards the weak and troubled) could sense the man’s faith. And, by His grace, God performed a miracle authenticating Paul’s words before the people.
 
The missionary’s mind: The people were amazed and were intending to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods! This is similar to the serpent’s temptation to Eve (Gen 3:5). Barnabas and Paul understood that the miracle happened not for their sakes but for the glory of God. They restrained the people from worshipping them, and preached unto them the God of the Scriptures.
 
As servants of God we have to have a firm understanding that whatever we do in His service must be for His glory alone (1 Cor 10:31). When we give in even a little to the temptation of rewarding ourselves with the flatteries of this world (which is so seductive), it would create a “crack in the dam.” Sooner or later it will destroy not only the servants but the church as a whole.
 
“Let Thy goodness like a fetter bind my wand’ring heart to Thee; prone to wander Lord I feel it – Prone to leave the God I love; here’s my heart – O take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.” Let us take heed!
 
THOUGHT: Am I sure that my heart’s desire is to serve the Lord?

PRAYER: Father, grant me a focused mind and a fixed heart for Thee.

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