On The Subject of Miracles

If you are a Christian that happens upon this little tidbit, please respond - don't just pass me by, please respond.

I would like to know your thoughts about why God does miracles, especially if they differ from my own. I believe that God does miracles to increase faith in those He has called, to make those who do not yet believe aware of His presence, to remind us of the glory and power of God.

But do you think God goes around doing miracles when they are not necessary? Doesn't the word "miracle" imply that ALL other avenues have been tried? Have I got that wrong? I've heard at least a few sermons that talk about God not doing for us what we can do ourselves -- in other words, don't sit around on the couch and think by some miracle you will find a Jaguar in your driveway when you could be workin' and savin' up for your wheels, you know what I'm sayin'? I believe that it is by the grace of God that we have doctors and dentists, and that God expects us to utilize what He has provided on this earth to stay healthy. If I had a tooth infection, I would not sit on my couch and pray for it to be healed without also making an appointment with the dentist -- God's provision is often given to us through the dentist.

I've recently been advised to pray for a miracle in terms of getting a job with my recent degree with honors from NAIT. Why would God come up with a miracle when this could have been achieved in a normal fashion? Jobs are obtained all the time by secular and Christian people alike without requiring miracles - how would it glorify God to reward incorrect behavior with a miracle? If the situation of being jobless is due to our own messups, is God likely to step in and "rescue" us with a miracle that never needed to be asked for? Does God like it when we make mountains out of molehills?

One example in particular comes to mind -- the example of David. God and David had a great relationship for sure. David made some very poor choices and God told him that because of his choices, and David's undermining the Lord's purposes, he would lose his baby.

His baby indeed became deathly ill. David repented. He prayed and pleaded and fasted and begged God to spare his child. He asked God for a miracle. But seven days later, the baby died. Seven days David lay prostrate, without food begging God for a miracle. Why did God let this go on for 7 days? Why did God let that baby suffer for 7 days? Would David have understood the gravity of the situation if God had zapped that baby immediately? Or did God want David to pray and commune with God for 7 days, with the same consequence, but a better understanding of the gravity of his sin? Did God consider granting David's request? Was there something he could have done or said or prayed that would have achieved a different result? Who suffered the bigger consequence of David's sin - David or the baby? If the baby could have talked, I think I know what his opinion would have been. Why did God punish the baby? These questions are all too great for me, but I do understand that David was not granted the miracle he asked for.

I'm still going to pray for this what is now a "miracle" and I hope you will pray for it, too.