Many years ago, the people of God, Israel, sinned against God and He delivered them into the hands of the Midianites. As a result, Israel was greatly impoverished and became disillusioned. It was at this point that they cried out to the Lord and He sent them a prophet; but beyond that, He sent an angel to a young man, Gideon. God had come to use him to deliver his people from the bondage and oppression of the Midianites. This young man, however, began to ask questions demanding proof that God will indeed deliver Israel because he doubted the presence of God among them.
[Judges 6:11-14 KJV] “And there came an angel of the Lord , and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abi–ezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?”
Without the active manifestation of God among us, many will not believe. There are many of us who must see the active workings of God among us, so we can believe.
In John 4:48, we learn that our Lord Jesus said unto a centurion that he knew that except he saw signs and wonders, he will not believe; “Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.”
Many of us are like this, so every ministry must have signs, wonders, miracles, works, and mighty works, if it is going to make significant impact on its generation. Many will not believe, except they see signs and wonders. Signs, wonders, miracles, and mighty deeds amplify our ministry. They are the catalysts for obedience.
[Romans 15:18-19 KJV] “For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ”.
Every ministry must have those works that defy human logic. Every ministry must have those works that relieve the people of their suffering. Signs and wonders, miracles, and mighty deeds are those works that reveal that a supernatural power operates among mortal men. Mighty works are those works that prove that God has given such power to men. Mighty works are those acts that reveal the power that is resident in the word of God. They happen when the power of God manifests.
Remember that signs, wonders, mighty deeds, and the power of the Spirit are the proofs of the presence of God among us, and also that we are sent. These are the things that give a foundation to our faith.
In 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, apostle Paul said, “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
He was bold to say that the signs of an apostle were worked in him. His preaching was not with enticing words of a man’s wisdom but with the demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that the faith of his hearers would not dwell in the wisdom of men but in the Spirit’s power.
[2 Corinthians 12:12 KJV] “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds”.
I pray that the Lord shall work His works and supernatural deeds among us. May your ministry never lack signs and wonders. May the Lord work a work in your life that defies human logic and give a proof that God is with you, Amen!
Be blessed, I love you!
Noah Simpe Bediako
very very revealing; …thanks for the emphasis