Signs and Wonders

The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. … more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. … Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed. The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. (Acts 5:12, 14, 16-17 NLT)

When reading the Bible, it can be easy to breeze past some of the incredible things happening. Looking back at the first verse, The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people (Acts 5:12). Imagine being there next to the apostles, seeing a crippled man be healed (Acts 3:1-11), witnessing evil spirits cast out (Acts 5:16), or watching as a paralyzed man walks again (Acts 9:32-35). Seeing God’s power displayed so prominently must have been hugely exciting and encouraging for the local believers. 

Do we have the faith today to believe that God still does miraculous and amazing things? Do our prayers reflect belief of this? I am reminded of a recent experience I had. A family member of mine had a doctor’s appointment to have blood drawn and they had always had painful and unpleasant experiences. Their dread was heightened by the fact that there were many vials to be filled. So leading up to the appointment we prayed that it would be a smooth experience. The appointment turned out to be the easiest, fastest, and least painful experience they have ever had! As I walked out with my family member, I caught myself feeling surprised that it went so well, shortly followed by conviction. Why was I surprised? Did I not believe that God would do what we prayed for? 

May God grow your faith today to believe that He is able and willing to accomplish great things and that each one of us would pray accordingly. Matthew 7:7 and 11 command, 

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. ... So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” 

We must ask! But to be clear, persistence alone does not guarantee a preferential response. James clarifies, "And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure" (James 4:3). Our prayers should align with God’s heart and will. 

There is another application to consider in this passage as well. Looking back at Acts 5:17, we see the Sadducees become jealous of the apostles. While signs and wonders were being carried out through the apostles, the high priest and his officials were just left to watch. Based on what we read of them, they likely envied the attention, influence, and power the apostles seemed to have. When God works through His followers, sometimes it can feel as though we are not being used for anything important—while others around us are engaged in life-changing ministry. When that happens, let us not become jealous of other believers’ calling and ministry. We never want jealousy to get in the way of what God is doing. Be encouraged; the Lord’s plans are perfect, and He will accomplish His will in His faultless timing. Let us be thankful that God chooses to work through those around us while we look for opportunities for Him to work through us. 

Prayer:
Jesus, You are amazing! You are a mighty God who has done signs and wonders throughout all of creation. Give me more faith, Lord. Give me faith to pray for You to work in incredible ways and believe that You will work mightily in my community and around the world. Please use me to fulfil Your will and purposes and continue to make my heart more like Yours. Thank You for how You are working through those around me and reveal to me ways in which I can love and serve You and others better. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.