Hub #2 - Is It Possible for An Overnight Miracle?

"Is there any such thing as an overnight miracle?" Absolutely. To be sure a miracle is something that takes place that could not ordinarily happen without divine intervention. Let's take a closer look. The Scriptures tell us that with God all things are possible. One of my favorite passages from God's Word is Hebrews 13:8 that clearly states, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." What a powerful text. The implications of that one verse are so far reaching that it spans the chasms of time from the heart of God into the 21st century.

I am convinced, in a day where hopelessness is eating away at the very core of what people believe, it is imperative that we go back to the foundational truths of the church and examine what the Bible really says about miracles. Further, we need to address what it all means in the scheme of things for our lives personally. I have a very strong feeling there will be those reading this hub who are in need of a miracle - that supernatural intervention that can only come from God. I quickly say that what I am suggesting is not a quick "snake-oil" fix or some kind of emotional gimmick used by some slick-tongued spiritual salesmen to manipulate and malign. This is based on absolute truth from the absolute Word of an absolute God. There is no higher authority.

To be sure there are times in our lives when God is more interested in our development than our immediate deliverance. I look at the life of Joseph and find a young man to whom God entrusted with a marvelous dream that would catapult him to greatness. From the time of the dream to its fulfillment there was a span of time I call "a work in process." He was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, elevated to the palace, falsely accused, sentenced to jail time and through it all (though I would say his life was filled with miracles) God took what was meant for his harm and used it for His glory. More will be said about this in a future hub.

Numbers 17:8 talks about Aaron's rod that budded overnight. The Amplified version says it this way, "And the next day when Moses went into the Tent of the Testimony, and, behold the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and brought forth buds and produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds." Wow. One day it was simply one rod among eleven others. They all looked alike except on each were written the name of the leader of their ancestral tribe. God had instructed Moses that the staff (or rod) belonging to the one He would choose would sprout. The next day, it was as though God touched Aaron's rod with His finger and what was an ordinary rod became a fruitful bough.

You say, "What does that have to do with me?" What are those impossible things in your life? What is it that would absolutely require a miracle to bring resolution? Though in no wise exhaustive, let me share some of my thoughts with you on the matter.

1. God Is Getting Ready To Accelerate Your Destiny

Ordinarily it would take years for a tree to bring forth fruit. In the natural realm it takes hundreds of years for a tiny acorn to become a mighty oak. But overnight Aaron's rod budded. I believe due to the time of great prophetic significance God is accelerating our destiny. What may have taken years before, God is going to cause it to accelerate and happen overnight. Why don't you just say right where you are, "I'm an overnight wonder." Go ahead. I know it may seem a little strange but why don't you say these words with me, "I know it may not look like it now (Go ahead. Say it out loud. It doesn't really matter what people think about it any way. It's you who needs the miracle. Right?) but don't worry about me. Overnight... God is working it out in my favor. My joy is on it's way. My help is on it's way. God is accelerating my destiny." Don't you feel much better after that?

Listen, my friend, don't let people discourage you on this one. There is power in prayer. Amos 9:13 says, ".... the plowman will overtake the reaper: and the treader of grapes him that sows seed." In other words, before I get my seed in the ground there will be a harvest. Before my prayer is out of my mouth the answer is on its way.

II. My Present Circumstances Do Not Determine My Future

You see, things may be difficult now.... It may be dark and difficult in your life now... Your marriage may be in trouble now... Your children may be on drugs now.... You may be distressed, disturbed, diseased and depressed now.... but night doesn't last forever. As a matter of fact, one of my favorite verses is this: ".... Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5) In other words, there's a time limit on your trouble. There comes a day when God says, "Enough is enough." I tell people don't take too much stock in how things look today. As long as God is God and as long as He is on His throne, I have every confidence in Him that my future is as bright as are His promises.

You see, back in Numbers 17:8, there was an important meeting called. God called it and it was to be held at the Tent of the Testimony. For this hub I will not fully develop all the wonderful historical concepts of this marvelous Tent of the Testimony. But I will say this, when God calls a meeting, it's important to show up because something is going to happen. In this case, Aaron's rod budded. In our case? Whatever we need, God has. Our test will become our testimony. The place of our pain can very well become the place of our power.

What about the crossing of the Red Sea by 2.5 plus million people on dry land. Hmmm. I would definitely say that was a miracle. Think about the widow woman from Zarephath who had nothing but a little bit of meal and a little oil in a day of famine, but in her obedience there was a miracle. Remember the woman who had an "issue of blood" in the New Testament? Her condition was hopeless, but when she touched Jesus instantly she was healed. The list can go on and on. Are they for today? Why, of course. Don't forget Hebrews 13:8. I can give examples of divine interventions that can only be described as a miracle even in my own life.

Maybe it's the night of your life right now. Please don't allow anything or anyone to steal your hope. That's what you can hang your faith on. Remember, God is a God of miracles and sometimes they are even "overnight."