If it isn’t instant, or at least quick, is it a miracle?

Treating God like their personal genie in a magic lamp, it’s long been commonplace for many who profess to be followers of Jesus to demand God work miracles in their life.

Much of that attitude has come from teaching from pastors that isn’t biblical (not even close!).

But it’s not just any “ordinary” miracle they expect, what is demanded is a miracle now! After all, it isn’t a miracle if is isn’t instantaneous, or at least very quick. Right?

An old story in the Sunday School Times would answer “no,” not right:

A story is told of an Eastern king which illustrates at once our delusion respecting natural processes, and also God’s work and presence in them.

The king was seated in a garden, and one of his counselors was speaking of the wonderful works of God.

“Show me a sign,” said the king, “and I will believe.”

“Here are four acorns,” said the counselor, “will you, Majesty, plant them in the ground, and then stoop down for a moment and look into this clear pool of water?”

The king did so.

“Now,” said the other, “look up.”

The king looked up and saw four oak-trees where he had planted the acorns.

“Wonderful!” he exclaimed, “this is indeed the work of God!”

“How long were you looking into the water?” asked the counselor.

“Only a second,” said the king.

“Eighty years have passed as a second,” said the other.

The king looked at his garments; they were threadbare. He looked at his reflection in the water; he had become an old man.

“There is no miracle here, then,” he said angrily.

“Yes,” said the other, “it is God’s work, whether he did it in one second or in eighty years.”

Many people are wise enough to know not to follow what is offered as pop psychology; the same is necessary regarding “pop theology.” Don’t believe much of the non-biblical nonsense about how God works, or even what a miracle actually is. Open your Bible and dig deeply into it on the subject. If you do, you may learn what the king in this story had revealed to him, and it can change your relationship with God who made and sustains you.

Scotty